The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Bagbin has sworn in the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Ewurabena Aubynn as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Ablekuma North constituency, amid the Minority in Parliament’s boycott.

The Minority staged a walkout after the Speaker declined to allow Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, to give a preliminary statement before the swearing-in ceremony.

The Speaker explained that he could only allow statements after the swearing-in had taken place.

In response, Annoh-Dompreh stated that under those conditions, the Minority could not participate in the process.

The Electoral Commission (EC) on Friday, July 11, held a rerun election in 19 polling stations of the Ablekuma North to provide its constituents a representative after the 2024 parliamentary elections.

Ewurabena Aubynn polled 34,090 votes to beat the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) Akua Afriyie, who secured 33,881 votes.

Ablekuma North remained the only constituency in Ghana without a sitting MP, due to unresolved disagreements over the outcome of the parliamentary vote after the 2024 polls.

On December 10, 2024, three days after the national polls, the EC declared Ewurabena Aubynn of the NDC the winner of the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat, defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh.

However, the EC later revoked the announcement, revealing that results from 62 of the 281 polling stations had not been included in the initial collation.

Efforts to restart the collation in January 2025 were disrupted by multiple challenges.

These included interruptions due to the submission of unverified pink sheets and a violent intrusion at the collation centre that heightened security concerns.

The Electoral Commission (EC), after extensive deliberations, in July noted that it will hold the rerun election because the 19 scanned polling station results used for the collation, though approved by agents of both political parties, were not verified by the presiding officers responsible for those polling stations.

The EC arrived at this decision after it met with the representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, July 1.

The NDC now has 184 seats in Parliament with Aubynn's victory, where has the NPP has 87 seats.

In the Fourth Republic, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has won the Ablekuma North parliamentary election seven times, whereas the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has claimed the seat twice.

Violence mars Ablekuma North rerun election

At the Odorkor Methodist 1 polling station in the Ablekuma North constituency, some individuals engaged in a fisticuff with the police personnel. Also, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual.

Former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for Ewutu Senya East Constituency, Hawa Koomson, was also assaulted by a group of men. A journalist with GH One Television, Banahene Agyekum, was also slapped by a police officer.

A police officer captured on video assaulting a journalist during the Ablekuma North parliamentary re-run has been formally charged with assault, according to the Accra Regional Police Command.

The officer, who was interdicted shortly after the incident, is now facing criminal charges following a review of video evidence by the police.

In a statement issued by Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs, the police said they are analyzing multiple videos from the July 11 poll to identify all individuals involved in the violent incidents that marred the election.

"In line with due process, the Police Officer captured in one of the videos, assaulting a journalist who was interdicted, has been held for criminal charges of assault." the statement indicated.

It adds that statements have been taken from complainants and witnesses, and victims have been issued Police Medical Report Forms as part of ongoing investigations.

The Command noted that it has gathered vital leads and assured the public that arrests will follow soon.

The police also emphasized their commitment to holding accountable anyone found culpable of violence, intimidation, or electoral misconduct. They encouraged the public to share credible information via emergency lines 18555 or 191.

Deputy Minister for Government Communications, Shamima Muslim, in reaction to the said incident, commended the police for its swift action to reprimand its officer for such unlawful acts and condemned the recent attacks against civilians and journalists during the Ablekuma North election rerun.

"What we are happy about is the swift action that the Ghana Police itself has taken in interdicting the officer in question,” she said.

"It is completely unwarranted. Government itself takes a very serious stance, especially on security agencies meting out unwarranted attacks to civilians under any circumstances," she added.

President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA) Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor also condemned the attack on journalists. Due to the chaos that erupted, Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno visited some polling stations in the constituency.

The Minority in Parliament has also condemned the violence that took place during the just-ended Ablekuma North rerun election, accusing members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of instigating violent activities.

In a statement signed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus said:

"The most disturbing aspect of today’s violence is not just the brutality itself, but the deliberate endorsement and celebration of these attacks by senior government officials. For example, Dr.

Hanna Louisa Bissiw, National Women’s Organiser of the NDC and CEO of the Minerals Development Fund, provided perhaps the most damaging response with her statement that “violence begets violence” and her suggestion that the brutal attacks were somehow justified."

"Even more shocking is the Facebook post by Malik Basintale, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC,

who apparently celebrated the man who attacked Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson with the disturbing declaration, “From today, I name him the Flying Python. He shall be in charge of the 5k Airforce!” This grotesque celebration of violence against a former Member of Parliament represents a new low in Ghana’s political discourse," the statement added.

The Minority has registered its displeasure with the operation of the Ghana Police Service at the polling stations.

"The Ghana Police Service’s response raises serious questions about their preparedness and commitment to protecting our electoral process. Security personnel were overwhelmed by the

perpetrators, failing to prevent these attacks on political figures, party agents, and journalists. More concerning are allegations surrounding Chief Superintendent Lumor Frederick Senanu and his potential role in facilitating these disruptions."

The caucus stressed the need for increased protection for voters, electoral officers, journalists, and candidates. It also called on the international community, civil society, and media to monitor developments closely.

Meanwhile, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has vowed to go after individuals who contributed to chaos during the Parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.

According to him, justice will be served regardless of the perpetrators' political affiliation. He pledged while addressing the media on Monday, July 14, as part of the 'Government Accountability Series' programme.

“I can assure you that not my party, not any group, will we sit and allow to see the resurgence of vigilantism. I have spoken to the IGP firmly about the happenings in the Ablekuma North. Videos have been forwarded to him, and we have instructed him to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to book.

“We’re not going to condone any actions by individuals within or outside our party going around to do the untoward. I can assure the public that we will ensure that under the leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, no such group will be allowed to form,” he assured.

He urged security personnel who will be deployed to oversee the upcoming by-election in Akwatia constituency, Eastern Region, to remain alert while executing their duties.

The Minister for the Interior advised that they reflect on the recent violence that occurred during the parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency and work proactively to prevent a recurrence.

According to him, the government will work to ensure that such dramatic events do not repeat themselves in future elections.

“This is also a wake-up call for our security agencies to know that probably what happened [in Ablekuma North]…gives our security agencies the opportunity to even plan better towards Akwatia.

“All I can assure the people of Akwatia is that we will use Ablekuma North as a case study to review how we operate in Akwatia—to make sure that the citizens are free to cast their votes and express their will without fear or favour,” Muntaka added.