The Electoral Commission (EC) has pushed back against allegations of political interference in its decision to hold a parliamentary election rerun in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North constituency, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The NPP has withdrawn from Thursday’s rerun, scheduled for July 11, denouncing the Commission’s decision as “unjust” and suggesting it favours the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The EC has firmly denied the accusations, citing its legal mandate and institutional independence.
In a briefing held Thursday in Accra, Dr. Bossman Asare, the Commission’s Deputy Chairman for Corporate Services, stated: “We state categorically that Ghana’s electoral management body is an independent body and will not be dictated to by any institution or any person. Our track record speaks for itself.”
The controversy centers around the outcome of the 2024 general election in Ablekuma North, where the results from a subset of polling stations were disputed. The EC subsequently ordered a rerun to restore confidence in the process and ensure electoral transparency.
Despite the party’s withdrawal, NPP parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie has broken with party leadership, announcing her intent to participate in the rerun. Legal and administrative challenges mounted by the party to halt the vote have so far proven unsuccessful.
Source:TheDotNews