The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has strongly condemned the violent incidents that marred the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency, assuring the public that all individuals involved—regardless of political affiliation—will be brought to justice.
The chaos erupted on Friday, July 11, when a group of unidentified macho men stormed the St. Peter’s Polling Centre during the rerun in 19 polling stations, disrupting the process and forcing a temporary halt to voting. Among those assaulted was former Fisheries Minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson.
Following the attacks, security was heightened in the area, allowing voting to resume under reinforced police protection.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Monday, July 14, Muntaka said the government is committed to ensuring accountability for the violence.
“I can assure you that not my party, not any group, will we sit and allow the resurgence of vigilantism,” he stated. “I have spoken to the IGP firmly about the happenings in the Ablekuma North. Videos have been forwarded to him, and we have instructed him to act swiftly to bring the perpetrators to book.”
Muntaka emphasized that neither political connections nor affiliations would shield offenders from prosecution.
“We’re not going to condone any actions by individuals within or outside our party going around to do the untoward. I can assure the public that we will ensure that under the leadership of H.E. John Dramani Mahama, no such group will be allowed to form,” he assured.
The rerun, organised by the Electoral Commission (EC), was held to resolve an unresolved electoral dispute from the December 7, 2024, general elections.
Due to irregularities and the destruction of collation documents, the constituency had remained without representation in the 9th Parliament for over six months.
In the tightly contested rerun, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, was declared the winner, narrowly defeating the NPP’s Nana Akua Afriyie.
He also assured that the upcoming by-election in Akwata will be peaceful.
According to him, the security agencies will use the happenings at Ablekuma North as a case study to improve upon their services.
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