The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has condemned acts of violence, vote-buying, and intimidation that marred the rerun parliamentary election in the Ablekuma North Constituency, calling for immediate investigations and accountability.
Although CODEO did not deploy observers to any of the 19 polling stations during the July 11, 2025, election, it monitored the process through media reports and accounts from stakeholders.The coalition noted that, while polling materials and officials were in place and voting commenced on time, the exercise was severely undermined. "The voting process was marred by incidents of vote-buying, serious lapses in security, intimidation, and violence at some polling stations," CODEO stated in a press release issued on Monday, July 14.
Attacks on Election Officials, Journalists, and Politicians CODEO condemned reported assaults on election workers, journalists, and two female political figures during the rerun exercise. "The Coalition condemns the incidence of violence and intimidation against poll workers, voters, journalists, and two female politicians," the statement read.
While commending the Ghana Police Service for promptly interdicting an officer accused of assaulting a journalist, CODEO called for further action. "The Coalition urges the police to move with alacrity to apprehend and prosecute all persons involved in the acts of violence." Political Party Actors Criticised CODEO criticised the conduct of members from both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), describing their actions as reckless and detrimental to Ghana's democratic progress. "It is clear that political party actors are unwilling to learn from the many years of election-related violence and the numerous victims it has produced in the Fourth Republic," the statement said.
