Violence Erupts as Thugs Disrupt Re-collation of Ablekuma North Election Results

Globenews | Politics | 17 January, 2025

A group of suspected thugs, some wearing National Democratic Congress (NDC) colors, stormed the Electoral Commission’s (EC) Greater Accra Regional Office, vandalizing property and disrupting the collation of parliamentary election results for the Ablekuma North Constituency. The incident occurred as the collation process was set to resume today at 8 am.

The Ablekuma North Constituency has been plagued by disagreements and delays, with the latest setback being the resignation of Returning Officer Vincent Obeng on January 8 amid disputes over pink sheet authentication. The EC has verified results from 278 out of 281 polling stations, leaving three stations contested between the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The NDC’s Ablekuma North Constituency Organiser, Musah Kalamu, has objected to the use of scanned pink sheets for verification, calling for a rerun of results in the 62 disputed polling stations. The NPP, however, remains confident that the truth will prevail.

The Electoral Commission suspended the collation exercise, describing Obeng’s resignation as “unfortunate.” The EC further declared its intention to engage with Obeng to determine whether he would reconsider his decision.

As tensions run high, the constituency awaits the final verdict on the parliamentary seat contest between the NPP’s Nana Akua Owusu Afriye and the NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn.