Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Bossman Asare, has formally addressed the general public ahead of tomorrow’s much-anticipated rerun of the Ablekuma North parliamentary election in nineteen polling stations.
At a press briefing in Accra, he explained that the basis for the rerun was the unresolved controversy over thirty-seven pink sheets – election results summaries – which were presented as scanned copies by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) following the destruction of the original documents during disturbances at various polling stations.
According to the EC, the NPP had submitted scanned pink sheets to aid in completing the collation process and had indicated that these were accepted by agents of both major political parties at the time of collation.
However, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) rejected the validity of the scanned documents, insisting that without original copies or a verifiable alternative source, the results could not be trusted.
“On Tuesday, 1st July 2025, the Commission met with representatives of both parties. The positions of the NPP and NDC, as stated during the previous meeting on 12th June, remained unchanged”
Dr Bossman Asare, Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission
The Commission clarified that the primary concern revolved around the use of scanned results from thirty-seven polling stations, which the NDC argued could not be authenticated. After extended discussions, the EC resolved to rerun the election in nineteen of those stations over confirmation issues.
Transparency and Independence
The Commission explained that it was able to secure confirmation from presiding officers for eighteen of the thirty-seven polling stations, and thus found no basis to rerun those specific elections.
“The commission arrived at the decision to rerun the election in the 19 polling stations because the 19 scanned polling station results used for the coalition, though approved by agents of both political parties, were not verified by the presiding officers responsible for those polling stations“
Dr Bossman Asare, Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission
The EC underscored that the process leading to this determination, though stemming from the absence of the verification, involved both parties and aimed to foster consensus, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
The Commission also responded to allegations that it had been influenced by external actors to take certain decisions.
“We state categorically that Ghana’s electoral management body is an independent institution and will not be dictated to by any person or institution. Our track record speaks for itself”
Dr Bossman Asare, Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission
“The collation process has been transparent, participatory and accountable,” Dr. Bossman Asare said, noting that the collation process thus far had not only been conducted with the participation of party agents but was also covered by the media, stressing that every stage had been documented and witnessed publicly.
Security Assurances
The EC reported that it has received assurances from the Ghana Police Service and the National Election Security Task Force regarding the protection of voters, electoral officers and property.
“The aftermath of the 7th December election and the processes to complete the collation in 12 constituencies have created fear not only in our staff but voters in general.
“We trust that the police and the National Election Security Task Force will provide the needed security before, during and after the process so we can vote and work in peace”
Dr Bossman Asare, Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission
In conclusion, the EC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the residents of Ablekuma North have a legitimate and duly elected representative in Parliament. “We have thus provided a path to complete the collation process.”
The EC wished both Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, the NPP parliamentary candidate, and Ms. Ewurabena Aubynn, the NDC parliamentary candidate well in the rerun scheduled for Friday, January 11, 2025.
“We assure the public and the parties that, as always, we will live by our motto and ensure that the rerun is fair, transparent and credible,” the Commission concluded.
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