Ablekuma North rerun successful, but isolated incidents of violence worrying –  African Electoral Institute 

The African Electoral Institute (AEI) has condemned electoral violence that characterized the just-ended rerun of polls at 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North in Accra.

In a statement, the African Electoral Institute, however, touted the rerun as successful despite the pockets of disturbance at a few polling stations.

“While we commend the Commission’s efforts to ensure electoral integrity through rerun polls where necessary, the acts of violence and intimidation reported are deeply regrettable and unacceptable in a democratic society. Such incidents not only undermine public confidence in the electoral process but also pose a direct threat to peace, security, and democratic governance”, Seyram Mankra at the Electoral Research Department of AEI stated.

She continued: “Electoral violence, whether physical confrontation, destruction of property, or the intimidation of voters and electoral officials, is a blight on our collective democratic progress. It must be condemned by all stakeholders: political parties, civil society, security agencies, and citizens alike.”

Below is the full statement 

THE AFRICAN ELECTORAL INSTITUTE (AEI) UPHOLDS ABLEKUMA NORTH ELECTION AS SUCCESSFUL BUT CONDEMNS THE ISOLATED ELECTORAL VIOLENCE DURING THE POLLS

Date: 14th July 2025

The African Electoral Institute (AEI) expresses grave concern over the reports of electoral violence that marred the rerun of polls at 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North Constituency, organized by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

While we commend the Commission’s efforts to ensure electoral integrity through rerun polls where necessary, the acts of violence and intimidation reported are deeply regrettable and unacceptable in a democratic society. Such incidents not only undermine public confidence in the electoral process but also pose a direct threat to peace, security, and democratic governance,” Seyram Mankra.

Electoral violence, whether physical confrontation, destruction of property, or the intimidation of voters and electoral officials, is a blight on our collective democratic progress. It must be condemned by all stakeholders: political parties, civil society, security agencies, and citizens alike.

As we approach the upcoming Akwatia Parliamentary by-election, the AEI urges all stakeholders to uphold democratic values, prioritize peaceful participation, and act with the utmost responsibility.

Once we follow and adhere to the principles and structures set out in Ghana’s electoral laws, AEI is convinced that these unfortunate acts could be eliminated. Thus, the African Electoral Institute stands ready to support Ghanaian institutions in strengthening democratic processes and preventing electoral violence. We call on all citizens, especially the youth, to reject violence in all its forms and embrace peace as the bedrock of democracy and development.

As we have done countlessly in the past, AEI calls on all Ghanaian stakeholders, particularly the Ghana Police, to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to lawlessness and violence. As it’s said, “Prevention is better than cure!”

RECOMMENDATIONS TO CURB ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND ENSURE EFFECTIVE SECURITY AT AKWATIA AND IN FUTURE ELECTIONS:

1. Enhanced Security Preparation and Training: Security agencies must thoroughly train and adequately equip their personnel with the skills and resources needed to manage electoral violence. This includes conflict de-escalation techniques, human rights-based approaches, and firm enforcement of electoral laws.

2. Clear Chain of Command and Accountability Mechanisms: All police officers deployed for election duties must operate under a clear command structure. Officers who fail to act in the face of violence should be subject to investigation and disciplinary action. Electoral security must not be symbolic—it must be effective.

3. Joint Election Security Task Force Activation: A well-coordinated joint task force comprising the Police, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), and other security agencies must be fully activated in advance of the Akwatia by-election. Pre-election intelligence gathering and community engagement are key to anticipating and addressing potential threats.

4. Deployment of Specialised Rapid Response Teams: Trained, mobile rapid response units must be on standby to intervene in violent incidents or disturbances swiftly. These units should be empowered to arrest perpetrators and restore calm without delay.

5. Public Assurance and Real-Time Communication: Security agencies should engage the public with regular updates and clear information before, during, and after elections. This helps to build trust and encourage law-abiding behaviour from all stakeholders.

6. Political Party Accountability: Political leaders must take responsibility for the conduct of their supporters. Parties should be held accountable for inciting or orchestrating violence and must be willing to work with security agencies to promote peaceful elections.

7. Civic Education on Peaceful Participation: Citizens must be educated on their rights and responsibilities in the electoral process. The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), CSOs, and faith-based groups should intensify campaigns promoting non-violence, especially among youth and first-time voters.

The African Electoral Institute stands in solidarity with the people of Ghana and all stakeholders committed to safeguarding the integrity of elections. We reiterate our call for zero tolerance for electoral violence and a renewed commitment to credible, transparent, and peaceful democratic processes.

SIGNED
Seyram Mankra
Electoral Research Department.
0244747128

Joshua Adjin-Tettey
Director of Communications and External Relations
0540904550

About Us:
African Electoral Institute ( AEI) is a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) founded to deliver sustainable electoral solutions to Emerging and Developed Democracies to strengthen, augment, and build electoral stakeholders capacity and participation on electoral issues through electoral education on voter’s rights and freedom, electoral research, election monitoring, election observation, election results collation, election security awareness and training of polling agents and elections directors underscoring the fact that “elections are won at the polling stations’’ and the participation of all identifiable electoral stakeholders in an electoral process such as Political Parties, Governmental Institutions, underpinning transparency and accountability for a free, fair, and credible elections in Africa and the wider world.
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