EC under serious coercion at Ablekuma North – Report
Former Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Dr. Bernard Okoe-Boye, has alleged that the Electoral Commission (EC) is currently operating under intense pressure and coercion, suggesting that the Commission’s recent actions lack independence and consistency.
His comments come amidst the ongoing parliamentary election rerun in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North Constituency.
Speaking to Channel One News monitored by DailyNewsGhana, at the scene of the rerun on Friday, July 11, Dr. Okoe-Boye expressed surprise and concern over the EC’s change of position regarding the rerun. He recalled that the EC had previously declared that a rerun was unnecessary, aligning with the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) stance at the time. However, the Commission later reversed that position and ordered the rerun, a move that has raised questions about the motivations behind the decision.
“The EC itself said that they did not need to do a rerun, and we also said they shouldn’t do a rerun. Today, they have changed their position,” Dr. Okoe-Boye pointed out.
He went further to draw an analogy to illustrate his suspicion of external pressure on the Commission. “If you have a brother who promised he wouldn’t smoke, and you later find him smoking, it’s not enough to call him a hypocrite. What if a gun was put to his head? You have to ask what happened.”
Dr. Okoe-Boye emphasized that while much of the public discourse has focused on the EC’s apparent inconsistencies, little attention is being given to the reasons behind those shifts. According to him, the EC may be acting under duress.
“This EC is under serious coercion, and because the NPP is not in the good books of the public, everybody is quiet,” he stated.
He also questioned the involvement of political parties in determining the fate of independent institutions, referencing recent calls from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the removal of EC leadership.
“How can you have the chairman of a party deciding which heads of institutions must be sacked, saying, ‘The EC head must go’? A lot of pressure has been brought to bear on the EC,” he said.
Although he acknowledged that the matter is not receiving much public attention at the moment, he stressed that it must be addressed in due time.
“Over time, we need to look at it,” he concluded.
Dr. Okoe-Boye also offered personal support to the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for Ablekuma North, Nana Akua Afriyie. He described her situation as emotionally challenging, especially given the party’s earlier decision to boycott the rerun, only for her to continue campaigning independently.
“I am in a difficult position because of the party’s stance, but this is a lady I know very well. As a physician, I know she is going through a lot mentally, and she deserves some support and attention,” he said.
The Ablekuma North parliamentary seat has been without representation since the December 2024 elections, which were marred by irregularities in 19 of the 37 polling stations. While results from 18 polling stations were certified, the Electoral Commission insisted that a rerun was necessary in the remaining ones to resolve the dispute.
Both the NPP and the NDC have claimed victory in the previous polls, setting the stage for a fiercely contested rerun. Despite the NPP’s initial boycott, Nana Akua Afriyie chose to defy the party’s directive and participate, a move that has drawn both criticism and admiration. The outcome of the rerun is expected to bring finality to the months-long deadlock and restore representation to the people of Ablekuma North.