The Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has issued a strong condemnation of the violent incidents that disrupted the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency, vowing that all individuals involved, regardless of political affiliation, will face justice.
Chaos erupted on Friday, July 11, when a group of unidentified macho men stormed the St. Peter’s Polling Centre, leading to significant disruptions across 19 polling stations and forcing a temporary halt to the voting process. Among those assaulted during the tumult was former Fisheries Minister, Mavis Hawa Koomson.
In response to the violence, security measures in the area were heightened, allowing for the resumption of voting under reinforced police protection.
Addressing journalists in Accra on Monday, July 14, Muntaka emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring accountability for the violent acts. “I can assure you that not my party, not any group, will we sit and allow to see the resurgence of vigilantism,” he stated firmly. He further revealed that he has directly communicated with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) about the incidents in Ablekuma North, sharing videos of the events and instructing him to take swift action to apprehend the perpetrators.
Muntaka underscored that political connections or affiliations would not protect 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, organized by the Electoral Commission (EC), aimed 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 unrepresented in the 9th Parliament for over six months.
In the tightly contested rerun election, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, was declared the winner, narrowly defeating the NPP’s Nana Akua Afriyie. The outcome highlights the significance of maintaining peace and order in the electoral process as the nation moves forward.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
