Residents of Abokobi in the Dome-Kwabenya constituency of the Greater Accra region have expressed their readiness to participate in a rerun of the parliamentary election at the Abokobi Women’s Development Center 2 polling station. This follows the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to nullify results from the polling station after errors were identified.

On Saturday, 28 December, the EC announced that the results from the polling station had been invalidated because they were recorded on an incorrect sheet instead of the required pink sheet.

A rerun has been scheduled to determine the final outcome of the parliamentary race, which remains undecided.

During a visit to the constituency, residents voiced their determination to vote again, with some declaring their support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Elikplim Akurugu.

“The town has made its decision. We want Elikplim Akurugu as our MP, and that’s it. Even if there will be a re-election, the people of Dome-Kwabenya have already chosen their MP,” one resident stated.

Another resident criticized the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Mike Oquaye Jnr, and urged him to concede defeat, stating, “Since 1996, the NPP has been winning this seat, but we’ve seen no change. We are ready for the rerun, and we believe it’s time for a change.”

The EC’s decision has sparked mixed reactions from the two major political parties. The NDC has strongly opposed the rerun, arguing that the annulment was unwarranted. Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the NDC, Dr Tanko Rashid Computer, described the EC’s move as unnecessary interference.

In contrast, the NPP has accused the NDC of disrupting the collation process, which they claim led to the irregularities. Director of Elections and Research for the NPP, Gary Evans Nimako defended the need for the rerun, stating that it would ensure transparency and fairness.

Pollster Musah Dankwah has predicted that the rerun will not significantly affect the outcome, insisting that the NDC is poised to win the seat.

“Our exit polls showed Elikplim Akurugu with 54% support compared to Mike Oquaye Jnr.’s 46%. Even before the elections, our surveys placed her in the lead,” Mr Dankwah explained. “It is unlikely that the NPP will retain the seat, it will flip to the NDC.”