The Electoral Commission’s (EC) directive to rerun parliamentary elections in 19 out of 37 polling stations in Ablekuma North has stirred significant political controversy.
The rerun, which affects just over half of the constituency’s polling centers, has been met with mixed reactions from Ghana’s two leading political parties. While the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) supports the EC’s move, the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has raised serious objections.
Brako-Powers Criticizes EC’s Partial Rerun
Legal analyst and private practitioner Austin Kwabena Brako-Powers has described the EC’s action as “unfair and unprincipled.” According to him, rerunning elections in only selected polling stations distorts the electoral landscape and fails to deliver full transparency and fairness.
“It raises constitutional and moral concerns. The EC’s selective rerun creates an uneven playing field and opens the door to further disputes,” he argued.
Brako-Powers emphasized that if there are sufficient grounds to question the credibility of results in some polling stations, a full constituency-wide rerun would be the most legitimate and democratic path forward.
NPP Challenges Legitimacy, NDC Welcomes Decision
The NPP has openly rejected the EC’s decision, questioning the basis for choosing only 19 polling stations for the rerun and demanding clarity on the Commission’s criteria. The party argues that the partial rerun risks disenfranchising voters and undermining public trust in the electoral process.
On the other hand, the NDC has praised the EC for what it calls “bold and corrective action,” aimed at restoring integrity in the wake of disputes and irregularities reported during the initial vote.
The rerun is expected to take place within the next few weeks, with stakeholders calling on the EC to ensure transparency, provide full details, and work with both parties to avoid post-election tensions.
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