NPP Takes EC to Court Over Ablekuma North Election Rerun

Accra, Ghana - 5 July, 2025 - Ghana’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) will seek a court injunction to block the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to rerun parliamentary elections in 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North constituency, according to Nana Agyei Baffuor Awuah, the MP for Manhyia South.

Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on 5 July 2025, Baffuor Awuah described the EC’s move as inconsistent and a threat to Ghana’s democratic process, prompting the NPP to pursue legal action to uphold what it claims is the true outcome of the 7 December 2024 election.

"We are going to court. My update is that we are going to court, and what steps we have taken since are yet to come to my attention."

The dispute, centered on the fiercely contested Ablekuma North seat, has reignited concerns about electoral integrity in one of West Africa’s most stable democracies.

The controversy began when supporters of the NPP and the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) clashed at the Ablekuma North collation centre after the 2024 general election, resulting in the destruction of critical electoral materials, including pink sheets used to record polling station results. A subsequent fire on 17 December 2024 at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools, where ballot boxes were stored, further muddied the process by destroying records for the constituency.

Initially, the EC declared the NDC’s candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, the winner based on results from 219 of the 281 polling stations. However, after disputes over the validity of scanned pink sheets provided by the NPP—only 18 of which were verified by presiding officers—the EC ordered a rerun in 19 stations, scheduled for 11 July 2025, following consultations with both parties on 1 July.

Baffuor Awuah, speaking for the NPP, argued that the EC’s decision contradicts a High Court ruling on 4 January 2025, which directed the commission to complete the collation of results in four constituencies, including Ablekuma North, under police protection. 

He claimed the EC had previously indicated it needed only security arrangements to finalise the results, specifically citing three outstanding polling stations—Pentecost Church Tweneboa 2, Light of Gospel Miracle Chapel, and Gloryland Hotel. The NPP maintains that its candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh, won with 34,613 votes against the NDC’s 34,199, based on pink sheets in its possession.

Baffuor Awuah accused the EC of yielding to pressure from the NDC, particularly after public statements by NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah threatening action against EC commissioners. He warned that the rerun could set a precedent for electoral chaos, undermining Ghana’s democratic credibility.

The EC, led by Jean Mensa, has defended its decision, stating that the rerun is necessary due to procedural irregularities. In a statement on 2 July 2025, the commission noted that of the 37 unverified pink sheets provided by the NPP, only 18 were properly authenticated by presiding officers and party agents. The remaining 19 stations, including locations like God First International School and Pentecost Church Mount Zion Assembly, lacked proper verification, necessitating a fresh vote.

The EC has called for enhanced security from the Ghana Police Service to ensure a transparent and peaceful process on 11 July.The NDC, confident in its position, has dismissed the NPP’s objections as an attempt to avoid defeat.

The Ablekuma North dispute is part of a broader wave of electoral tensions following the 2024 elections, which saw the NDC secure 184 parliamentary seats to the NPP’s 77, alongside a presidential victory for John Mahama with 56.55% of the vote. Incidents of violence, including attacks on EC offices in constituencies like Damongo and Ayensuano, have heightened scrutiny of Ghana’s electoral processes.