In a dramatic and deeply contested electoral process, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has finally secured a significant victory in the Ablekuma North constituency, ending months of tension, delayed results, and violent confrontations. This outcome delivers not only a symbolic win for the NDC but also poses urgent questions about electoral security, institutional integrity, and the future of Ghana’s democratic stability.
Background: Months of Uncertainty
The 2024 General Elections left Ablekuma North as the only unresolved constituency. Both the NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn and the NPP’s Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie laid claim to the seat amid missing pink sheets, collation disputes, and violent disruptions. After multiple failed attempts to finalize collation — including the resignation of the returning officer and attacks on Electoral Commission (EC) offices — the EC called for a rerun in 19 polling stations. Legal battles ensued, with the NPP contesting the rerun process, citing a supposed 414-vote lead and arguing that only 3 polling stations should have been rerun.
Violence Mars Rerun
The rerun held on July 11, 2025, was overshadowed by chaos, particularly at St. Peter’s Methodist Church polling station. Armed groups in pickups and on motorbikes reportedly assaulted voters, journalists, and high-profile NPP figures including Nana Akua Afriyie and former Fisheries Minister Hawa Koomson. While the EC condemned the attacks and called for arrests, the NPP’s Dennis Amfo Sefa issued an incendiary response, urging NPP members to “arm themselves” for future elections. Civil society organisations, including CODEO, and various political observers have decried these developments as a dangerous precedent.
Final Outcome: NDC Emerges Victorious
After tallying the rerun results, the EC declared Ewurabena Aubynn of the NDC the winner of the Ablekuma North seat. The victory ends nearly seven months of legal and political deadlock. It also means the NDC has snatched one of the Greater Accra Region’s critical swing constituencies, reinforcing their growing influence in urban strongholds. This win brings the NDC’s total parliamentary seats to a stronger minority position, giving them a slightly tighter leverage in the hung parliament dynamics that have defined the post-2024 legislative landscape.
Implications for Ghana’s Democracy
1. Delayed Justice is Denied Democracy
The seven-month delay in declaring results is a blow to voter confidence. It rendered Ablekuma North residents voiceless in Parliament and exposed serious weaknesses in Ghana’s electoral architecture.
2. Violence as a Tool of Electoral Strategy
The widespread violence risks normalizing political thuggery. With both parties trading accusations and violence erupting unchecked, Ghana teeters on a dangerous slope where democratic participation becomes a physical risk.
3. Security Forces & EC Under Scrutiny
The inability of police to prevent or contain violence during the rerun has revived debates about electoral security. The EC must also reflect on its crisis management, public communication, and legal preparedness.
Impact on the NPP
The NPP’s failure to retain Ablekuma North—a seat it had historically dominated—represents a strategic setback.
Public backlash against violent rhetoric from within its ranks could erode its credibility as a party committed to peaceful democratic processes.
The loss may impact its narrative of strength going into upcoming by-elections and 2028 preparations.
Momentum for the NDC
This victory provides the NDC with both morale and strategic momentum. In Greater Accra, where margins are often razor-thin, flipping constituencies like Ablekuma North could have long-term electoral implications.
Ewurabena Aubynn’s win, amid intense scrutiny and legal hurdles, positions her as a rising political figure within the party’s future power structure.
The Road Ahead: Democracy on Edge
As Ghana reflects on the Ablekuma North saga, key reforms must follow:
– Stronger EC protocols for recounts and reruns.
– Non-negotiable accountability for perpetrators of electoral violence.
– Judicial clarity on electoral disputes to avoid protracted stalemates.
Above all, Ghana must reaffirm that elections are won through the ballot—not the bullet, not in courtrooms, and certainly not by intimidation.
Conclusion
The Ablekuma North outcome is a microcosm of Ghana’s democratic crossroads. The NDC’s win is a political milestone, but the process that led to it serves as a wake-up call. For Ghana to sustain its status as a democratic beacon in West Africa, it must prioritize electoral transparency, institutional accountability, and above all—peace.
