Interior Minister Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka has declared that any infractions recorded during the ongoing Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun will be prosecuted as criminal offenses, regardless of the individuals involved.
Speaking to masemtvgh.com on Friday, July 11, while voting was underway in 19 selected polling stations, the Minister emphasized that the law will be applied without fear or favor.
“All infractions during the Ablekuma North rerun will be treated as criminal offenses, and anyone found flouting the law, irrespective of who they are, will be dealt with accordingly,” he asserted.
His remarks come in the wake of multiple reports of violence and disruptions at polling stations, which have cast a shadow over the electoral process.
Violent Incidents Disrupt Voting
One of the most disturbing incidents occurred at the Odorkor Methodist Church polling station, where former Minister and MP for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, allegedly discharged pepper spray during a confrontation. The act caused panic, forcing the temporary suspension of voting as Electoral Commission (EC) officials and voters fled the scene.
Shortly after, violence erupted at the St. Peter’s polling station, where a group of unidentified men believed to be politically aligned thugs launched an assault on party agents and journalists. Among the injured were NPP parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Afriyie and a female polling agent, both of whom suffered visible facial injuries. Hawa Koomson was also reportedly assaulted during the chaos.
Security forces were swiftly deployed to the affected areas to restore calm and allow voting to resume.
High-Stakes Rerun
The rerun is being conducted to resolve disputes from the December 2024 general elections, which left the constituency without a Member of Parliament for over seven months. Out of 37 contested polling stations, results from 18 have already been certified, with today’s vote covering the remaining 19.
The contest pits NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn against the NPP’s Nana Akua Afriyie, in a race separated by just 48 votes based on previous tallies:
NPP (Nana Akua Afriyie): 32,512
NDC (Ewurabena Aubynn): 32,464
Despite the NPP’s earlier declaration to boycott the rerun, Nana Akua Afriyie chose to participate following the dismissal of her legal challenge. The Electoral Commission has reiterated its commitment to transparency and neutrality, urging all parties to respect the process.
A Call for Accountability
Minister Muntaka’s strong stance underscores the government’s intention to clamp down on electoral misconduct. His warning sends a clear message to political actors and supporters that violence and intimidation will not be tolerated.
As the rerun continues, both local observers and the general public are watching closely, hoping the remaining stages of the vote proceed peacefully and credibly.
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