The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) is poised to conduct a rerun of the parliamentary election in the Ablekuma North Constituency on Friday, July 11, 2025. This decision comes after a protracted dispute over the results of the initial election held on December 7, 2024. The rerun will encompass 19 specific polling stations, involving 6,839 registered voters. These 19 polling stations represent the outstanding results needed to complete the tally from the constituency’s 281 polling stations and ultimately determine the winning parliamentary candidate. Polling stations will be open from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. The EC has emphasized its commitment to ensuring the rerun is conducted transparently, freely, and fairly, bringing closure to the electoral impasse in Ablekuma North.
The decision to rerun the election in these 19 polling stations stems from discrepancies surrounding the verification of scanned results used in the initial collation process. The EC explained that the Presiding Officers responsible for these specific polling stations did not verify the scanned results, leading to the need for a fresh vote. This issue became a point of contention between the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The NDC had initially flagged concerns about the use of scanned results provided by the NPP, alleging that the EC’s original result sheets had been destroyed during the collation process. They had called for a rerun in 37 polling stations. The NPP, on the other hand, argued that only the results from the three outstanding polling stations at the time needed to be collated to declare a winner.
The EC’s decision to rerun the election in the 19 polling stations was met with legal challenges from the NPP’s parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie. She filed an application with the High Court in Accra seeking to prevent the rerun. However, the court dismissed her application, paving the way for the EC to proceed with its plans. Despite the initial challenge and the party’s earlier announcement of a boycott, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie has confirmed her participation in the rerun. This signals a commitment to resolving the electoral dispute through the democratic process.
The EC has addressed concerns about the safety of its staff, particularly in light of reported incidents of intimidation and fear following the initial election. The Commission has appealed to the Election Security Taskforce to ensure comprehensive security measures are in place before, during, and after the rerun. This is crucial for guaranteeing a peaceful and secure environment for both electoral officials and voters. The EC has reiterated its independence and stressed that it will not be influenced by any external pressures in conducting the rerun. This assurance is intended to bolster public trust in the integrity of the electoral process.
The 19 polling stations designated for the rerun are scattered across various locations within the Ablekuma North Constituency. These include educational institutions such as God First International School (Darkuman 1), Living Spring Day Nursery (Kwashie Bu 1), Radiantway Preparatory School, and Ateco School Complex (Odorkor). Religious centers also serve as polling stations, including Pentecost Church Mount Zion Assembly (Kwashieman), The Lord’s Pentecostal Church (Kwashie Bu), Presby Church (Odorkor 4), Church of Pentecost (North Odorkor 4), Methodist Church (Odorkor 1), St. John Baptist Church (Odorkor 1), Light of Gospel Miracle Chapel (Tweneboa 2), Roman Catholic Church (Busia Junction, Odorkor 1), and Bethel Baptist Church (Sakaman 1). Other designated locations include the DVLA Office (Awoshie Adamami 2), South Odorkor 4 and 5 School (Odorkor 3), Pentecost Church (Tweneboa 2), and the MTTD Odorkor Divisional Station (Odorkor 1).
The rerun of the Ablekuma North parliamentary election represents an important step in resolving the electoral impasse and ensuring the democratic will of the constituents is respected. The EC’s commitment to transparency, fairness, and security, alongside the participation of the candidates, are crucial factors in achieving a credible and conclusive outcome. The results of the rerun will determine the constituency’s representative in Parliament and contribute to the overall stability and legitimacy of the democratic process in Ghana. The focus now shifts to the July 11th rerun, with both the EC and stakeholders hoping for a smooth and peaceful electoral process that will bring finality to the Ablekuma North parliamentary election.
