EC asked to re-run disputed polling stations in Ablekuma North
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Ghana’s Defence Minister and Director of IT and Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during the 2024 general elections, has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to organise a re-run in the disputed polling stations within the Ablekuma North constituency.
In a Facebook post dated Thursday, May 5, Dr. Boamah made his position clear following recent actions taken by the Minority Caucus in Parliament, who petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) over the EC’s prolonged delay in declaring the final results of the parliamentary race.
Dr. Boamah stressed the importance of transparency and adherence to electoral laws, urging the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission to prioritise fairness in resolving the deadlock. He argued that the EC should move forward with a re-run in the polling stations where disputes have made it impossible to verify the outcome due to the absence of pink sheets.
He warned the EC to avoid repeating past electoral mishaps, citing the example of the SALL (Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi, and Likpe) situation, where residents in those areas were left without parliamentary representation for several years as a result of administrative errors and legal controversies involving the Commission and the then-ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
“Let’s draw lessons from the SALL elections debacle, where four significant traditional areas were denied parliamentary representation for years because of the actions and inactions of the NPP and the Electoral Commission,” he said.
Dr. Boamah reiterated the principle that Ghana’s democratic values must be grounded in fairness and inclusivity. He emphasised that for democracy to thrive, every voter must be represented, and all election results must be determined with clarity and integrity.
According to him, the call for a re-run is in line with constitutional principles and would ensure that “every vote counts, every voice is heard, and every citizen is represented.”
His statement adds to growing public and political pressure on the EC to resolve the ongoing electoral dispute in Ablekuma North, a seat that has remained without a Member of Parliament for several months due to contested results. The EC is yet to issue a formal response to either the Minority’s petition or Dr. Boamah’s suggestion.