The Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed claims by the NPP that they are boycotting the upcoming parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.

According to Mustapha Gbande, the NPP's candidate's name remains on the ballot and they remain participants, whether or not they show up.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on Wednesday, July 9, Mr Gbande argued that the NPP’s public posture is misleading and intended to create confusion.

“The NPP is not our competitor in this election. They are participants in the election and have chosen to paint the picture as if they have withdrawn. But they are in the election because, on the ballot paper, their candidate is still there,” Mr Gbande said.

“I am daring the NPP to write to the Electoral Commission and officially inform them that they are withdrawing,” he challenged.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has scheduled a rerun in 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North constituency, following disruptions that prevented full collation of results in the December 2024 parliamentary elections.

The NPP has said it will not partake in the process, describing it as illegal and in contempt of court.

However, Mr Gbande dismissed those concerns, accusing the NPP of using the situation to mask their own internal disarray and dwindling electoral fortunes.

“The NPP knows that when they were given power for eight years, Ablekuma North, which is one of their constituent, they have failed to develop the place. They didn't spare Ablekuma North of their fraud and deception. They underdeveloped the place,” he said.

"When President Akufo-Addo [former president] was taking internet and asphalt to his village in Kyebi, he forgot that Ablekuma North was one of their strongholds.

"Today, each time you allow the NPP to participate in public discourse, they lose votes because they lack the credibility and moral integrity to participate in any election."

He further described the NPP as disorganised, fractured, and incapable of mounting a credible campaign.

"In fact, in their own NPP, they are not well organised, they are dismantled, they are captured, they are divided, and they are not ready for any election.

"I dare say, what President Akufo-Addo and his people have done to this country cannot be forgotten just within eight months or seven months. It is still on the conscience of Ghanaians that the NPP’s eight years were a national fraud," he asserted.

The NDC Deputy General Secretary insisted that the rerun will go ahead with or without the NPP’s full participation.

"They also know that their candidate cannot win this election. If they get an opportunity, they would have changed their candidate," he added.