The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has taken a swipe at the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for rejecting the Electoral Commission’s decision to rerun parliamentary elections in 19 polling stations within the Ablekuma North Constituency.
Vanderpuye accused the NPP of resisting the rerun because of a looming electoral defeat during an interview on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Thursday, July 3.
“The only reason the NPP has taken this position of rejecting the rerun in the 19 polling stations is because they foresee defeat.
If the NPP claims these polling stations are their stronghold, then why are they afraid? Let’s grow up, sit down, and follow the EC’s directive. Whoever wins, wins,” he said.
He added that the issue should not be over-politicized, stressing that one parliamentary seat would not significantly alter the balance of power in Parliament.
“That one seat won’t change anything in Parliament for the NPP or the NDC. Let’s prioritise peace and fairness,” Vanderpuye urged.
His comments come in response to strong opposition from the NPP, whose Deputy General Secretary, Haruna Mohammed, described the Electoral Commission’s announcement as “unjustified” and lacking consensus.
Mohammed stated that the NPP representatives who attended the EC meeting did not agree to any rerun.
“Our representatives were at the meeting, and I have to put it on record that there was no such agreement with the EC,” Mohammed said.
However, the Electoral Commission, in a statement dated July 2, 2025, clarified that the decision was based on procedural irregularities.
According to the EC, scanned pink sheets from the 19 polling stations were not signed by Presiding Officers during the initial collation process.
Furthermore, the original pink sheets were destroyed after chaos erupted at the collation centre, where agitated party supporters stormed the premises.
Despite the NPP’s protests, the EC has announced that the rerun will proceed on Friday, July 11, 2025, promising a transparent and peaceful process.
