Ablekuma North rerun violence: CODEO urges police to arrest, prosecute perpetrators
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has urged the Ghana Police Service to swiftly apprehend and prosecute all persons involved in the acts of violence in the Ablekuma North Constituency election rerun held last Friday, July 11, 2025.
“The perpetrators must face the full force of the law to deter others from engaging in such undemocratic practices during elections and clamp down on impunity,” it said.
CODEO also urged all Ghanaians and the media, who filmed various angles of the incidents, to share their videos and photos with the police to assist their investigation.
Condemnation/Commendation
A statement signed and issued by the Coordinator of the CODEO Secretariat, Joseph Oti Frimpong, condemned the incidents of violence and intimidation against poll workers, voters, journalists and two female politicians.
It, however, commended the Ghana Police Service for immediately interdicting the officer allegedly involved in the assault of a journalist and also the use of incendiary and provocative language by leading members of the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party in the aftermath of the violent incidents.
“It is clear that political party actors are unwilling to learn from the many years of election violent outcomes and the many victims it has produced in the Fourth Republic. This behaviour is even more egregious given that the country is recovering from a difficult 2024 election and transition, partly marred by electoral violence.
“This toxic political culture must be stamped out of competitive politics, otherwise it will one day overwhelm all of us and destabilise Ghana’s young democracy,” the statement said.
Worrying situation
“Further, the security lapses observed during this election re-run and despite the heavy deployment of security personnel, raise grave questions about the state of the Ghana Police Service.
Given the high-stakes nature of this exercise in a densely populated area, it was shocking that unauthorised persons (who looked like party vigilantes) were allowed to roam around in vehicles, some unlicensed and enter polling station areas without any interception,” it added.
“The most worrying observation was the actions of police officers guarding the gate to the St Peter’s Society Polling Station at Odokor, who stepped aside as thugs forced their way into the polling station to assault agents and two politicians.
“This police posture was observed during the 2024 elections and transition. The emasculation of the Police Service is a clear and present danger that all stakeholders must fully address,” it said.
‘’CODEO calls on President John Mahama and the Police Council under Article 202 (2) of the Constitution to exercise its powers of Control and Direction over the Inspector General of Police to conduct an inquiry into the recent actions of police officers in handling police duties involving political actors.
“This must be done urgently to ensure clear remedial actions are taken ahead of the bye-election in Akwatia. ”
CODEO called on all stakeholders, especially political actors, security agencies, the Electoral Commission, and the Judiciary, to consider these developments, carry out the necessary reforms and take firm action to address issues of election violence, political vigilantism and the independence of the Ghana Police Service.
