Despite not deploying observers to the 19 polling stations involved in the July 11, 2025, Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has issued a strong condemnation of widespread irregularities, citing media and stakeholder reports as sources of verification.
The coalition described the electoral process as severely compromised by incidents of vote-buying, intimidation, and violence, even though voting reportedly started on time with all essential materials and officials present. These developments have triggered renewed concerns about the credibility of Ghana’s democratic processes.
Among the most disturbing issues highlighted were assaults on election officials, journalists, and two female political figures, which CODEO said further undermined public trust in the electoral system. The coalition acknowledged the interdiction of a police officer who allegedly assaulted a journalist but emphasized that more accountability was needed across the board.
Both major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), CODEO-statement-on-Ablekuma-North-Election-Re-run-14thJuly2025-Final came under sharp criticism for their alleged roles in fueling tensions and enabling misconduct. CODEO described the behavior of party actors as reckless and reflective of a troubling unwillingness to learn from Ghana’s history of election-related violence.
Concerns were also raised about the use of inflammatory language by political operatives, which the coalition warned contributes to a growing culture of impunity and political vigilantism.
One of CODEO’s most urgent warnings focused on the actions, or inactions, of security personnel, particularly at the St. Peter’s Society Polling Station in Odokor. According to the coalition, officers stationed at the gate reportedly allowed thugs to breach security and physically attack agents and political representatives.
This has led to a call for constitutional intervention. CODEO urged President John Mahama and the Police Council to trigger their authority under Article 202(2) of Ghana’s Constitution to launch an official investigation into the role of the police in managing election-related security. The coalition stressed that the weakening of the Police Service poses an immediate threat to national stability, especially with another by-election in Akwatia on the horizon.
Beyond immediate investigations, CODEO is advocating for comprehensive electoral reforms. The coalition is calling on political leaders, the Electoral Commission, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary to confront systemic issues related to election violence, political interference in policing, and the overall credibility of Ghana’s democratic institutions.
This latest report serves as a warning that without urgent and collective action, the country risks deepening public disillusionment in its democratic system, particularly as electoral processes continue to be marred by impunity and partisanship.
CODEO-statement-on-Ablekuma-North-Election-Re-run-14thJuly2025-Final
