The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has accused the New Patriotic Party (NPP) of resisting the upcoming parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North out of fear of losing, not out of any genuine concern for electoral integrity.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, July 3, Vanderpuye claimed the NPP’s objection to the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to rerun elections in 19 polling stations is based on panic rather than principle.
“The only reason the NPP has taken this position of rejecting the rerun in the 19 polling stations is because they foresee defeat. If the NPP claims these polling stations are their stronghold, then why are they afraid? Let’s grow up, sit down, and follow the EC’s directive. Whoever wins, wins,” he said.
Vanderpuye lamented that the ongoing standoff between the two parties was taking an emotional toll on the female parliamentary candidates representing the NDC and NPP, who continue to wait for final resolution.
“The two ladies are going through emotional stress, and we are not being fair to them. In the interest of peace, national unity, and development, this rerun must happen.”
EC Sets Rerun Date After Months of Dispute
The EC announced on July 2 that it would conduct a rerun on Friday, July 11, 2025, in the 19 affected polling stations within the Ablekuma North Constituency. This follows intense disagreement between the NPP and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the results of the December 7, 2024 general election.
The controversy arose after the EC was forced to rely on scanned Pink Sheets submitted by the NPP, after the original documents were reportedly destroyed during an invasion of the collation centre. The NDC challenged the validity of the scanned results, claiming they were unverifiable and unauthenticated by the EC’s presiding officers.
In response, the NPP insisted that only three polling station results were outstanding and that the rest had been confirmed by party agents prior to the disruption.
The EC’s decision to proceed with a partial rerun—limited to the 19 most disputed polling stations—was taken after meeting with both parties on July 1. Deputy Chairman of Operations, Samuel Tettey, said the rerun was necessary to maintain electoral credibility and transparency.
“That One Seat Won’t Change Parliament” – Vanderpuye
Vanderpuye brushed aside concerns that the outcome of the rerun could dramatically shift the balance of power in Parliament.
“That one seat won’t change anything in Parliament for the NPP or the NDC. Let’s prioritise peace and fairness,” he stressed.
Currently, the NDC holds a slim majority in Parliament, and the Ablekuma North seat remains the final unresolved race from the 2024 elections.
The Electoral Commission has promised a free, fair, and credible rerun. The Ghana Police Service has also been directed to ensure maximum security and maintain order on polling day.
As political tension simmers in the lead-up to the rerun, Vanderpuye’s message was clear: the rerun is not a threat to democracy—it is democracy in action.
