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The Minority in Parliament has intensified its campaign against what it describes as the growing threat of electoral violence and political intimidation in Ghana, presenting a formal petition to the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Maher Kheir, over the conduct of the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun held on Friday, July 11, 2025.
The petition, which outlines a string of alleged violent incidents and irregularities during the rerun, is part of a broader protest by the opposition side of the House against what it sees as a deteriorating democratic environment in the country.
Shortly after meeting with the diplomatic community, the minority proceeded to the Jubilee House, where they submitted a similar petition to President John Dramani Mahama. In both documents, the group urged urgent executive and diplomatic intervention to safeguard Ghana’s democracy and ensure electoral integrity ahead of the 2026 general elections.
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The move coincided with a dramatic walkout staged by the minority just minutes before the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review. The protest, led by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh, was designed to draw national and international attention to what the group called the “creeping erosion of Ghana’s democratic values.”
Speaking on the floor of Parliament before the walkout, Annoh Dompreh stressed that the rising incidence of electoral violence was incompatible with Ghana’s democratic journey.
“Increasingly, electoral violence is rearing its ugly head in our fledgling democracy. The recent rerun in 19 polling stations in Ablekuma North is clearly revealing,” he said.
Annoh Dompreh reiterated the Minority’s respect for the authority of Speaker Alban Bagbin but insisted that the group could not remain silent in the face of what it perceives as escalating political aggression.
“Speaker, with respect, I will not on any day try your authority. We have lined up a number of activities to back our demands. And to the extent that these acts of violence are not addressed—and are visited on us even at home—we cannot be part of the mid-year budget review,” he stated.
Speaker Bagbin acknowledged the seriousness of the issues raised by the Minority and expressed a willingness to accommodate a future parliamentary discussion on electoral violence. However, he indicated that the day’s agenda—the presentation of the Mid-Year Budget—would proceed as planned.
Despite his assurances, the minority exited the chamber shortly afterward, making it clear that their protest was both symbolic and strategic, meant to pressure the government into action.
The rerun in Ablekuma North became necessary after an earlier vote was nullified due to irregularities. However, the rerun itself has now become the subject of intense political scrutiny.
The minority’s petitions cite incidents of physical assault on political opponents, impersonation of security officials, the deployment of armed individuals in fake uniforms, and attacks on journalists. These, according to the Caucus, are evidence of a growing trend of state-enabled or state-condoned electoral violence.
In their demands, the minority is calling for
- A full-scale independent investigation into the Ablekuma North rerun
- The prosecution of all perpetrators of violence
- A clear commitment from President Mahama to uphold electoral fairness and the rule of law
- Greater diplomatic engagement to ensure transparency in future elections
The petitions to both the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and President Mahama signal the Minority’s intent to internationalise the issue and solicit broader support from global partners.
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