After a rather rigorous election period, the National Democratic Congress’ parliamentary candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn has emerged victorious in the just-ended rerun for the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat.
The Electoral Commission declared Aubynn the MP-elect after she secured 34,090 votes, narrowly beating the New Patriotic Party’s Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, who polled 33,881 votes. The slim margin of just 209 votes brought an end to a tight contest that had kept political watchers on edge.
Aubynn makes history as the first NDC parliamentary candidate to clench the seat after nearly three decades. She also emerges as the first NDC parliamentary candidate to occupy the Ablekuma North seat since the beginning of the Fourth Republic. The rerun became necessary following a stalemate in the 2024 general election and allegations of result tampering in several polling stations.
A total of 68,382 votes were cast, with 411 ballots rejected.
The election, though largely peaceful in some areas, was marred by pockets of violence and tension-especially at the Odorkor Methodist Church. Notably, former MP Hawa Koomson and the NPP’s Akua Afriyie were reportedly attacked by ‘macho men’ purported to be from the opposing side.
The media personnel also had a fair share of the violent uproar. One reporter from GHOne was slapped by a police officer in the early hours of the election. Another journalist, a reporter with JoyNews was also assaulted at one of the 19 polling stations.
Observers say internal divisions within the NPP, coupled with public dissatisfaction and aggressive campaigning by the NDC, may have tilted the scales in Aubynn’s favour.
Former Fisheries Minister Hawa Koomson was brutally assaulted by unknown “macho men” at the St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station. She is reported to have lost some personal belongings including her phone. In a statement shared on her Facebook page, she warned the public to desist from dealing with persons that are likely to leverage the possession to fleece unsuspecting members of the public.
By: Kobina Baidoo
