The decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to rerun the parliamentary election in the Dome Kwabenya constituency has ignited heated discussions among voters and supporters of the two main political parties. This rerun will take place at the Abokobi Women’s Development Centre 2, although the exact date has yet to be announced.
The controversy arose after the EC declared Elikplim Akurugu of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as the winner of the December 7, 2024 elections. However, discrepancies in the results led to the decision to rerun the election at one polling station, leaving many residents divided on the necessity of this action.
In interviews conducted by GhanaWeb, many voters expressed confidence in Akurugu’s victory, arguing that the NDC candidate would win again, regardless of the rerun. One voter boldly stated, “The EC can hold this election 10,000 times, and our decision will still stand. Elikplim won, and we are standing firmly behind her.” This voter emphasized that their support for the NDC was rooted in dissatisfaction with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and its handling of issues over the past eight years.
Conversely, supporters of the NPP, including Mike Oquaye Jnr., who contested the seat, voiced their belief that the earlier declaration should have favored him. One NPP supporter expressed optimism that the rerun would result in a clear victory for Oquaye, insisting that the EC often mishandles electoral processes.
Reactions to the rerun decision have been mixed. Some residents praised the EC for taking steps to resolve the disputes and restore order, seeing it as a commitment to democracy. However, critics expressed frustration with the EC, claiming that its actions have only fueled tensions. One critic went as far as to suggest that the EC should be evaluated for its decisions, questioning the logic of calling for a rerun after declaring a winner.
Elikplim Akurugu’s win was significant as it flipped a seat that was previously safe for the NPP. However, her victory was marred by allegations of irregularities, including claims of tampering with election documents at the collation center.
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