Voters in Ablekuma North are returning to the polls today, Friday, July 11, 2025, in a closely watched parliamentary rerun that could reshape both the constituency’s representation and the internal dynamics of Ghana’s two major political parties.
The vote, taking place across 19 polling stations, follows months of legal wrangling, allegations of irregularities, and sharp political divisions. At stake is not only a seat in Parliament but also public confidence in Ghana’s electoral system and the strength of party discipline within the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
The controversy stems from the December 2024 general elections, where disputes over pink sheet authenticity and collation procedures left the parliamentary results in Ablekuma North unresolved.
A High Court ruling in January 2025 directed the EC to conclude the collation. However, citing unresolved issues in 19 polling stations, the Commission instead opted for a partial rerun to uphold electoral integrity.
In an unexpected twist, the NPP’s official stance has been to boycott the rerun, insisting its candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, had already secured victory by a 414-vote margin in the original election. The party challenged the EC’s decision in court, but the case was dismissed on July 9, with the court ruling that the application lacked merit.
Despite this, Owusu Afriyie announced her participation in the rerun, signaling a split between the party’s national leadership and its grassroots base. “I am contesting. We are fully prepared,” she told reporters on Thursday, July 10.
Her decision has drawn support from constituency-level NPP officials and former MPs, who rallied behind her candidacy with late-stage campaigning.
Meanwhile, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has intensified its campaign, claiming that their candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, was the rightful winner in December. With strong on-the-ground mobilisation and backing from senior party figures, the NDC is confident of a favorable outcome.
With tensions running high, the EC has moved to restore public confidence. At a press briefing, Deputy Chair Dr. Bossman Asare reiterated the Commission’s impartiality and readiness.
Security has also been reinforced at all 19 polling stations to ensure calm and order during the voting process.
Beyond local representation, the rerun serves as a litmus test for the NPP’s internal cohesion and the NDC’s momentum in what has traditionally been an NPP stronghold.
