The News Editor of The Newscenta newspaper, Elvis Darko, has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to boycott the re-run of 19 polling stations in the disputed Ablekuma North parliamentary elections.
The Electoral Commission (EC), as part of efforts to resolve the impasse and declare a Member of Parliament for the constituency, which has gone seven months without representation — has scheduled the re-run for Friday, July 11.
Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, July 10, Mr. Darko described the exercise as “useless,” “time-wasting,” and an attempt by the election management body to “whitewash itself.”
He urged the NPP to abstain from the process and leave the EC to deal with the consequences of disobeying a court order to collate results from the outstanding polling stations and declare a winner.
“It’s a waste of everything. If you ask me, I support the NPP’s position. There’s no need for them to participate in this election. It’s a waste of time. It’s a waste of resources.
“They should leave the burden on the EC. They should let the debt remain with the EC. The Commission wants to find a way of cleaning its mess, but they shouldn’t allow it to happen,” he said.
The EC has come under heightened criticism recently, particularly over its decision to conduct the rerun in the 19 polling stations.
The opposition NPP challenged the move in an Accra High Court, but on Wednesday, July 9, the court, presided over by Justice Ali Baba Abature, dismissed the application as “unmeritorious.”
