The Electoral Commission (EC) has confirmed that it will not conduct a re-run of the 2024 parliamentary election in the Ablekuma North constituency, stating that the process of collating results from the remaining polling stations is still viable.
Appearing before Parliament on Thursday, June 19, the EC’s Deputy Chairperson for Corporate Affairs, Dr. Bossman Asare, dismissed suggestions of an imminent re-run. He explained that the Commission had not exhausted all avenues to complete the collation of outstanding results from three polling stations, which remain critical to determining the final outcome.
“So, for Ablekuma North, we have not reached the point where we will say we don’t have the results. When we try and we cannot get the results, that is when we will resort to the rerun. The rerun will be a last option,” Dr. Asare clarified.
Background: A Stalled Contest
The 2024 parliamentary election in Ablekuma North, a historically competitive constituency in the Greater Accra Region, has been mired in controversy since the general election was held in December last year. Though votes were cast across all polling stations, the official collation of results has been suspended for months due to a series of disruptions, including security concerns and disagreements over pink sheet authenticity.
The delay has left the constituency without a sitting MP more than six months after the polls, raising concerns among residents and fuelling speculation about the possibility of a re-run.
Ongoing Efforts to Finalize Collation
Dr. Asare emphasized that the Commission remains committed to completing the collation process in a transparent and lawful manner. He said the three outstanding polling stations are crucial to finalising the results and that efforts are underway to secure the necessary cooperation from stakeholders, including political party agents and the Ghana Police Service.
Earlier this week, the EC formally requested Parliament’s support in securing security backing to protect its officials and ensure a safe environment for completing the collation. The Commission insists that all political actors had agreed to the collation methods used thus far, including the acceptance of scanned pink sheets and the approval of all original tally sheets.
Public and Political Pressure
The prolonged delay in declaring a winner has triggered pressure from both civil society and political observers. While some constituents have expressed frustration over the lack of representation in Parliament, others have called for patience and adherence to due process.
The EC’s firm stance against a re-run at this stage underscores its determination to uphold the integrity of the original vote and avoid costly and divisive repetition of the election unless absolutely necessary.
As the situation develops, the Commission has pledged to keep Parliament and the public informed, reiterating its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the democratic process.
