Ablekuma North Rerun: Vote Buying Happens in Every Election—Greater Accra Minister Shrugs Off NPP Claims

The Greater Accra Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Shai Osudoku, Hon. Linda Ocloo, has dismissed allegations of vote buying leveled against the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the lead-up to the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun, stating that such accusations are neither new nor surprising.

Speaking in response to the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) claims that the ruling NDC is influencing voters with gifts and cash, Hon. Ocloo said the opposition is free to do the same if they have the capacity.

“In every election, there is vote buying. That’s not news, so it shouldn’t be a problem. If the NPP can, they should also do it,” she stated unapologetically.

Her remarks come just a day before the July 11 rerun, which was ordered by the Electoral Commission (EC) to resolve disputes from 19 polling stations whose results in the December 2024 elections were contested due to violence and irregularities that disrupted the collation process.

The EC has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a free, fair, and transparent election on Friday. At a press briefing on Thursday, July 10, the Deputy Chairperson in charge of Corporate Services, Dr. Bossman Asare, confirmed that all logistics were in place and that the Commission was focused on ensuring the integrity of the poll.

“On our part as the electoral management body, we are desirous of bringing the election in the Ablekuma North Constituency to a conclusion and of ensuring that the constituents have a representative in Parliament,” Dr. Asare said.

The rerun is expected to be closely contested, with tensions running high between the NDC and NPP. The NPP had initially threatened to boycott the rerun but reversed its decision after the court dismissed its candidate’s bid to stop the process.

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