The Minority Caucus in Parliament has condemned what it describes as a coordinated campaign of lawlessness and violence recorded in the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.
In a statement signed by Minority Leader, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the caucus accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of undermining the democratic process by unleashing thugs to disrupt voting in the 19 polling stations involved in the rerun. The minority specifically named Deputy National Communications Officer, Malik Basintale and Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande as leading figures behind the chaos, alleging that video evidence showed them inciting and directing violent acts at various polling centres.
The Minority expressed outrage at what it called the “apparent complicity” of the Ghana Police Service, accusing officers of standing by passively as these acts of violence unfolded. The statement made reference to threats issued by Malik Basintale at a rally on the eve of the election, in which he is alleged to have encouraged NDC supporters to take aggressive action.
According to the Minority, the New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, was reportedly assaulted at the St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station, alongside former Fisheries Minister, Hawa Koomson and former Okaikwei South MP Darkoa Newman. At another polling station, the Church of Pentecost North Odorkor 2, a police officer allegedly slapped Banahene Agyekum, a journalist with the EIB Network, while he was covering the polls.
Elsewhere, the statement said, thugs dressed in brown uniforms and posing as security personnel were arrested at the Awoshie DVLA polling centre after failing to produce identification. A separate confrontation between NDC supporters and police was also reported at the Asiedu Gyedu Memorial School 1 polling station, adding to what the Minority described as a climate of intimidation and fear.
In addition, the group claims that Chris Lloyd Nii Kwei Asamoah, the NPP’s Deputy National Organiser, was physically assaulted during the melee.
The Caucus said these incidents follow a troubling pattern of irregularities in the constituency, dating back to the December 2024 general elections, including the destruction of electoral materials, missing pink sheets, and a fire outbreak at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools.
The Minority also berated the Electoral Commission (EC), criticising its decision to rerun elections in 19 polling stations rather than the original three that were under dispute. The caucus described the sudden expansion as suspicious and lacking transparency, warning that it risks further undermining public confidence in Ghana’s electoral institutions.
The statement also condemned the appearance of Interior Minister Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak and Defence Minister Dr. Edward Omane Boamah at polling centres during the chaos. The Minority dismissed their presence as a mere public show to conceal what it sees as government complicity in the violence.
Calling for urgent investigations, the Minority demanded that the Ghana Police Service swiftly prosecute those responsible for the assaults on Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, Hawa Koomson, Banahene Agyekum, Chris Asamoah, and all other victims. It also called for immediate action against the alleged impersonators posing as security officers and urged the Inspector General of Police to deploy sufficient protection for voters, journalists, and electoral officers to ensure the safe continuation of the electoral process.
The Minority said the prolonged lack of representation for the people of Ablekuma North, who have been without a Member of Parliament since January 7, 2025, is unacceptable. It called on the Electoral Commission and law enforcement authorities to act decisively to restore democratic order and public confidence.
It urged the NDC to exercise restraint and avoid further actions that could incite insecurity. It also called on civil society, the media, and the international community to closely monitor the situation and support efforts to safeguard Ghana’s democratic values.
“The people of Ablekuma North deserve a peaceful, transparent, and fair electoral process,” the statement said, adding “We will not relent in our pursuit of justice and representation for the people of Ablekuma North.”
