The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has suspended the collation of polling station results for the Ablekuma North constituency after a series of violent disruptions and security threats at its offices.
This follows an order by the High Court on January 4, 2025, which directed the EC to resume the collation of results and declare winners for four outstanding parliamentary elections.
Ablekuma North remains the only constituency yet to complete the collation process.
The EC began the collation process on January 8, 2025, at its old head office but was unable to complete the exercise due to three outstanding polling station results.
The Commission scheduled a continuation of the collation on January 17, 2025, and formally requested additional security support from the Ghana Police Service.
However, based on intelligence, the police advised that the exercise be postponed, citing potential security risks.
Despite the warning, inadequate police presence at the collation center and the Commission’s new corporate head office allowed party supporters to invade the premises, causing significant disruption.
The attackers reportedly destroyed property, including furniture and louver blades, and issued threats to EC staff, forcing them to flee.
The disturbances, which included individuals on motorbikes, brought collation activities to a standstill.
The EC has identified the perpetrators as supporters led by the Greater Accra Regional Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Staff also observed two men in military uniforms, whose identities remain unknown, among the group. The Commission has urged the Ghana Police Service to swiftly identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible.
Video evidence of the incidents has been made available to assist investigations.
In a statement, Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman of Operations for the EC, appealed to the government to ensure the provision of adequate security to enable the Commission to safely complete its mandate. Tettey emphasized that the threats to lives and property are unacceptable and must be addressed immediately to restore order and allow the people of Ablekuma North to have their Member of Parliament.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and fairness, calling on all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring the process is concluded peacefully.