The Electoral Commission (EC) has reaffirmed its determination to finalize the collation of parliamentary election results for Ablekuma North, asserting that a rerun will only be considered as a final option.
The commission cited security threats, legal uncertainties, and persistent political disputes as the primary obstacles delaying the declaration of results since the December 7, 2024, elections.
Responding to a parliamentary question raised by Majority Chief Whip Rockson-Nelson Dafeamakpor on Thursday, June 19, 2025, EC Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bossman Asare outlined the challenges thwarting the process. He emphasized the EC’s relentless efforts to conclude the collation despite repeated setbacks.
“The EC is not idle. We have engaged the Ghana Police Service and the National Election Security Task Force continuously, but security concerns and a pending Supreme Court case have forced us to pause,” Dr. Asare told Parliament.
Dr. Asare provided a detailed account of the EC’s efforts, noting that collation began on December 9, 2024, with 15 polling stations’ results tallied. Incremental additions, often contested by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or the National Democratic Congress (NDC), continued until January 8, 2025, bringing the total to 278 out of 281 polling stations.
He revealed that attempts to finalize the process on January 17 and May 15, 2025, were derailed due to inadequate police support and heightened political tensions. A violent incident in January, involving the destruction of EC property by party supporters, further complicated matters.
Dr. Asare disclosed that the Ghana Police Service referred the issue to the Attorney-General for legal advice on May 15, 2025, but the EC is yet to receive a response despite repeated follow-ups.
At a June 12, 2025, meeting with the NPP and NDC, no agreement was reached. “One party pushed for completing the collation, while the other demanded a rerun in 37 polling stations,” Dr. Asare explained.
Despite the deadlock, he underscored the EC’s commitment to transparency, noting that agents from both parties have been present throughout the process. “Scanned pink sheets, agreed upon by all parties when originals were unavailable, have ensured accountability,” he said.
Dr. Asare appealed to Parliament to facilitate police protection to enable the EC to complete the collation. “The people of Ablekuma North deserve their voice in Parliament. We are ready to act once security and stakeholder consensus are secured,” he stressed.
With the matter now pending legal advice from the Attorney-General and the National Election Security Task Force, the timeline for resolution remains uncertain. The EC, however, insists it remains steadfast in its resolve to deliver a credible outcome, prioritizing collaboration and security over a hasty rerun.
By Osumanu Al-Hassan/thenewsbulletin24.com