Former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has condemned the spate of violence that marred the Ablekuma North rerun elections on Thursday, describing the development as deeply disturbing and a threat to Ghana’s democracy.
Speaking to journalists after reports emerged of attacks on several New Patriotic Party (NPP) members, Dr Bawumia criticised the Ghana Police Service for failing to protect citizens during the electoral process.
“The reports of what has gone on at Ablekuma this morning are very disturbing. This is not the democracy that we want to see in Ghana. Our supporters are being attacked by thugs in the presence of the police who have been unable to protect them,” he said.
His comments come after a group of unidentified macho men reportedly stormed the St. Peter’s polling station in a well-coordinated attack. The thugs assaulted journalists and party agents, disrupting voting activities at the centre.
Among those injured were the NPP’s parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, and a female polling agent, both of whom suffered visible facial injuries, including swelling. Minister Hawa Koomson, who was later seen at St. Peter’s, was also reportedly assaulted during the melee.
Dr Bawumia warned that these attacks send a dangerous signal to political parties that they might have to provide their own security during elections if state security agencies fail to protect them, which he described as a “recipe for disaster.”
“This is the message that is being sent. What we have to be clear about is that the people who have perpetrated these acts have been caught on video. I call on the president to take action, and all the people in charge of this country, the administration, to take action to bring the perpetrators to book,” he stated.
He stressed that ensuring justice for the victims would be the only way to deter future occurrences, adding that if the state fails to act, the party will not forget the incident and will seek justice no matter how long it takes.
“This is not the democracy that Ghana wants to see. It is very important that these sorts of terrible acts are not encouraged,” Dr Bawumia concluded.
The Electoral Commission (EC) is conducting the rerun in 19 polling stations across the Ablekuma North constituency to resolve verification issues that marred the December 2024 general elections. Results from 18 of the 37 initially disputed polling stations were previously certified, leaving the remaining 19 for a fresh vote.
The constituency has been without a Member of Parliament since 2024 due to the unresolved collation process. The EC maintains that the rerun is necessary to conclude the matter and restore parliamentary representation to the area.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
