The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has vehemently rejected the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to rerun polling station elections in 19 centres within the Ablekuma North Constituency, describing the move as “unlawful, disingenuous, and a breach of the rule of law.”
Speaking at a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Accra, NPP General Secretary, *Justin Kodua Frimpong*, condemned the EC’s July 2 directive and insisted that the Commission must comply with a High Court order to *complete the collation of results from the three remaining polling stations*, not conduct a fresh rerun.
“The EC’s sudden U-turn is not only shocking but unlawful. The Constitution, Representation of the People Law (PNDCL 284), and Public Elections Regulations (CI 127) do not grant the Commission the power to order a rerun of elections it has already conducted. Only a competent court can do that,” Kodua Frimpong emphasized.
Background to the Dispute
The controversy stems from a longstanding stalemate over the collation of results in Ablekuma North following the December 2024 parliamentary elections. The High Court in January 2025 ordered the EC to complete the collation exercise in four constituencies, including Ablekuma North, and instructed the Inspector General of Police to provide the necessary security.
While the EC completed the process in the other three constituencies—Tema Central, Okaikwei Central, and Techiman South—it has failed to finalize results in Ablekuma North due to reported disruptions by thugs alleged to be affiliated with the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Kodua Frimpong referenced several EC statements and video evidence indicating that *59 out of the 62 remaining polling station results had been duly collated* between December 21, 2024 and January 8, 2025, with only three left to finalize the process.
EC’s Justification Questioned
In its July 2 statement, the EC claimed that scanned results from the 19 polling stations in question—although approved by political party agents—had not been verified by the relevant Presiding Officers, hence the need for a rerun. The NPP, however, questioned the credibility and legality of this justification.
“The EC previously confirmed in writing and in meetings that only three polling stations remained. They even blamed the police for not providing security to complete the collation. How then did they arrive at this figure of 19?” Kodua asked, pointing out that even *one of the original three polling stations—Glory Land Hotel Odorkor (C161205A)*—was not included in the list of 19 the EC now wants to rerun.
The party also noted that some Presiding Officers from the 19 stations were present during previous collation activities and had verified the results, making the EC’s new position “misconceived and unsupported by facts.”
Allegations Against NDC and Political Interference
The NPP accused the NDC of orchestrating a campaign of violence and intimidation to disrupt the collation process, citing video footage of vandalism at EC collation centres in multiple constituencies during the 2024 elections.
The party also accused President John Dramani Mahama’s administration of rewarding “violent actors” such as *Kalamu Adamu Musah*, the alleged ringleader of the Ablekuma North disruptions, who has since been appointed Municipal Chief Executive despite rejection by local assembly members.
Further, the NPP raised concerns that the EC’s top leadership may be yielding to pressure from the NDC to safeguard their positions, referencing comments by NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah about plans to remove the EC Chairperson and deputies.
Call to Action
The NPP warned that allowing such conduct to go unchecked would erode Ghana’s democratic integrity and set a dangerous precedent for future elections.
“If this is allowed, political parties will no longer campaign based on ideas and policies. Instead, they will invest in thuggery to disrupt collation centres when results don’t favour them,” Kodua said.
The party called on religious leaders, civil society groups, traditional authorities, and the National Peace Council to speak out against what it described as collusion between the EC and the NDC.
Legal Steps Ahead
Concluding the press conference, the NPP reaffirmed its candidate Hon. Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh’s victory in Ablekuma North—claiming she won with 34,613 votes against the NDC’s 34,199 based on pink sheets—and vowed to challenge the EC’s “arbitrary” decision in court.
“The Electoral Commission must respect the orders of the High Court, complete the collation of the remaining three polling station results, and declare the true winner. We will not relent until the sovereign will of the people of Ablekuma North is upheld,” Kodua Frimpong asserted.
Story by Eugene Kwasi Nyarko
