National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has appealed to Ghana’s two leading political parties to set aside partisan interests and uphold the Electoral Commission’s directive for a rerun of the parliamentary election in Ablekuma North.
The former Odododiodio MP chastised the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for resisting the EC’s decision to hold the rerun in 19 polling stations, implying that the party’s reluctance stemmed from a fear of losing.
“The only reason the NPP has taken this stand against the rerun is because they foresee defeat. If these stations are truly their strongholds, what’s there to fear? Let’s grow up as a democracy. Whoever wins, wins”.
He emphasized that the outcome would not alter the balance of power in Parliament but stressed the importance of fairness, peace, and emotional well-being especially for the two female candidates involved; Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie (NPP) and Ewurabena Aubynn (NDC).
“The emotional toll on these women is real. This one seat won’t change much for either party, but the stress it’s causing is not fair. We owe them peace and finality.”
The Electoral Commission’s decision, announced in a July 2 release signed by Deputy Chair of Operations Samuel Tettey, came after high-level consultations with both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The controversy arose after the 2024 General Election when violence at the collation centre led to the destruction of original Pink Sheets for 37 polling stations.
The EC initially used scanned versions for collation, an act contested by the NDC.
In a bid to restore confidence and electoral credibility, the EC settled on conducting a rerun in 19 polling stations, where documents were either unverified or in dispute.
The rerun is scheduled for Friday, July 11, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Ghana Police Service has been tasked with ensuring calm and security, while the EC has pledged full transparency and integrity.
