Former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has described the violence that disrupted the parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North as disturbing and unacceptable. His comments followed a series of violent incidents reported at polling centres during the rerun held on Friday, July 11.
Speaking to the media, Dr. Bawumia said the chaos undermines Ghana’s democratic values and called on President John Mahama and relevant authorities to take swift and decisive action.
He expressed concern over the failure of security personnel to protect voters and party agents, stating that the situation reflects a breakdown in law and order.
“The reports of what has gone on at Ablekuma North 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.”
According to him, several supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), including the parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Afriyie, former Awutu Senya East MP Mavis Hawa Koomson, and the deputy national organiser, were assaulted in the presence of police officers.
He added that many of those attacked were women and urged that this kind of political violence must not be tolerated.
“The candidate, Akua Afriyie, has been attacked. Hawa Koomson has been attacked. Our deputy national organizer has been attacked.So many of them, many women have been attacked. After every election, we want to see that the democracy is being enhanced.”
Dr. Bawumia stressed that the attackers have been caught on video and warned that if they are not prosecuted, the NPP will not forget and will ensure justice is served, no matter how long it takes.
He cautioned that allowing such violence to go unpunished could force political parties to resort to self-defence in future elections, a development he said would endanger the peace and stability of the country.
One of the major flashpoints was the Odorkor Methodist Church polling station, where eyewitnesses alleged that Hawa Koomson discharged pepper spray during a confrontation, prompting a temporary suspension of voting.
The tension escalated at the St. Peter’s polling station, where unidentified individuals believed to be political thugs attacked journalists and party officials.
Nana Akua Afriyie and a female polling agent were among those assaulted, both sustaining facial injuries. Hawa Koomson was also reportedly injured.
The Electoral Commission is overseeing the rerun in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North Constituency to address unresolved collation issues from the December 2024 general elections.
While 18 out of the 37 disputed polling stations had their results certified, fresh voting was required in the remaining 19 to complete the process.
Ablekuma North has been without parliamentary representation since the 2024 elections.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
