Minority Slams Electoral Commission Over Ablekuma North Rerun

Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin has launched a blistering critique of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to rerun elections in 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North Constituency.

In an address on the floor of Parliament on Thursday July 3, Afenyo-Markin questioned the EC’s sudden reversal after previously assuring Parliament that it only needed security support to conclude collation in three polling stations.

“What has changed? The EC told us all they required was security to complete the process. Why are we now talking about a rerun in 19 polling stations? This is a dangerous turn in our democracy,” he asked pointedly.

The Minority Leader argued that the EC had previously relied on tally cards to complete results in constituencies such as Ablekuma Central, enabling representation in Parliament without controversy.

He cited the example of Michael Kwej Jr., who peacefully protested but accepted the EC’s lawful process.

“We have Akurugu sitting with us in this House today because the EC used tally cards when some polling station results were unavailable. Why the double standard now?” Afenyo-Markin questioned. “It is unfair. It is unjust.”

He went further to suggest that the Commission’s latest decision may have been influenced by external political pressure, implying that recent comments by senior politicians may be swaying the EC to protect its own interests.

“I don’t want to believe the EC is now acting to secure their jobs. Maybe this benefits some people today, but tomorrow it will be their turn. The Commission must not yield to the whims of political hardliners,” he said.

The Minority leader appealed for the House to summon the Electoral Commission next week to explain its shift in position.

“Ghana’s democracy is being admired around the world we recently hosted Prime Minister Modi who commended our democratic strides. We must not betray that confidence.”

He warned that Ghana risks following the path of failed democracies in the region that eroded trust in their electoral institutions.

“Many countries wish they had Ghana’s democracy. But they lost it because they took institutions for granted. We must not say ‘had I known’ when it’s too late.”

Meanwhile, Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga defended the Commission’s decision, stating that the 19 polling station results could not be accepted because the EC’s own presiding officers failed to verify them.

“The EC says the issue is with verification. The pink sheets from those stations were not signed off by the presiding officers, and so the Commission believes it is proper to rerun the polls to maintain electoral integrity, ”Mr. Ayariga explained. “

He reminded the House that the EC had made presentations to Parliament on the matter, and that the issue had always revolved around verification anomalies, particularly the absence of signatures on the pink sheets.

“I don’t know why you’re afraid. Why are you afraid? Let us not try to politicise this and say that just because a National Chairman of a political party [Asiedu Nketia] made a statement, the EC is intimidated,” he advised

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