The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has condemned acts of violence, vote-buying, and security lapses that marred the Ablekuma North parliamentary election rerun held on Friday, July 11, 2025.
In statement on Monday, July 14, CODEO expressed deep concern over the conduct of the polls, describing the incidents as a threat to Ghana’s democracy.
CODEO noted that while electoral officials and logistics were in place and voting commenced on time, the process was undermined by “serious lapses in security, intimidation, violence, and vote buying.”
The statement particularly condemned attacks on poll workers, journalists, voters, and two female politicians.
The rerun followed months of electoral uncertainty after verification issues during the December 2024 general elections affected 37 polling stations in the constituency.
The Electoral Commission certified results from 18 of the stations, with the remaining 19 requiring fresh polls to restore parliamentary representation.
The exercise ultimately saw the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, declared the winner by the Electoral Commission.
However, violence erupted at the Odorkor Methodist Church polling station, where NPP’s Hawa Koomson reportedly discharged pepper spray during a confrontation after being assaulted.
Voting was temporarily halted. Later at St. Peter’s polling station, alleged political thugs attacked party agents and journalists.
CODEO commended the Ghana Police Service for quickly interdicting an officer allegedly involved in the assault of a journalist but stressed the need for urgent and thorough investigations.
A portion of the statement noted, “We call on all stakeholders particularly political actors, security agencies, the Electoral Commission, and the judiciary to reflect on these developments, implement the necessary reforms, and take decisive action to address the problem of election violence, political vigilantism and the independence of the Ghana Police Service.”
“CODEO will also continue to monitor the elections space, contribute to constructive discourse and advocate for electoral standards that ensure a peaceful, transparent and inclusive elections.”
It urged the Police to arrest and stakeholders to ensure all perpetrators are prosecuted to deter future violence, and called on citizens and the media to share footage and evidence to support the investigations.
The statement signed by Joseph Oti Frimpong, Coordinator of the CODEO Secretariat, reaffirmed the Coalition’s commitment to promoting peaceful, transparent, and inclusive elections in Ghana.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Hamdia Mohammed
