The Minority in Parliament has condemned what it describes as a wave of lawlessness and violence during Thursday’s parliamentary rerun elections at 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North Constituency.
Minority Leader Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, in a statement, accused leading officials of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of orchestrating the violent acts that disrupted voting and threatened public safety.
“We are deeply concerned by the recurrence of violent disruptions by NDC thugs, led by Malik Basintale and Mustapha Gbande. Videos circulating show them inciting, directing, and ordering acts of violence,” the statement read.
According to the Minority, the clashes and violent incidents witnessed across several polling stations were not isolated but part of a troubling pattern of electoral misconduct dating back to the 2024 General Elections. They pointed to multiple incidents that marred the rerun, including physical assaults, impersonation of security personnel, and attacks on journalists.
At the St. Peter’s Polling Station, NDC thugs allegedly assaulted the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, former Fisheries Minister Mavis Hawa Koomson, and former MP for Okaikwei South, Darkoa Newman.
At Church of Pentecost North Odorkor 2, a police officer reportedly slapped Banahene Agyekum, a journalist with EIB Network, while he was covering the election.
At Awoshie DVLA, men in brown uniforms impersonating security officers were arrested after failing to produce identification. Violent confrontations between NDC affiliates and police also broke out at the Asiedu Gyedu Memorial School 1 polling station, escalating tension.
The Deputy National Organiser of the NPP, Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah, was also reportedly assaulted by NDC loyalists.
The Minority leader expressed outrage at what he described as the Ghana Police Service’s “apparent complicity,” claiming officers failed to intervene despite prior warnings, including threats issued by Malik Basintale at a pre-election rally.
“The Ghana Police Service stood by unconcerned as these party thugs carried out their disruptive and violent acts,” he charged.
Afenyo-Markin also pointed accusing fingers at Ministers of Interior and Defence, whose appearance at some polling stations he described as a public gimmick.
“Their presence was nothing more than a show to feign concern while masking their gross inaction and complicity in the thuggery,” he added.
The Minority questioned the Electoral Commission’s decision to hold a rerun in 19 polling stations, claiming it contradicted earlier assurances that results from only three polling stations were needed for collation.
“The sudden shift to a rerun, without adequate explanation, raises suspicions of political interference and undermines public confidence in our electoral institutions,” Afenyo-Markin noted.
He criticised the continuous disenfranchisement of the people of Ablekuma North, who have been without parliamentary representation since January 7, 2025.
The Minority demanded immediate investigations into all reported assaults and impersonation incidents and called on the Inspector General of Police to deploy adequate security for the NPP candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie.
The Caucus warned the NDC to refrain from further acts of provocation and called on civil society, the media, and the international community to closely monitor developments in the constituency. “The people of Ablekuma North deserve a peaceful, transparent, and fair electoral process,” the Minority stressed.
