Fire Destroys Ballot Boxes and Papers in Disputed Ablekuma North Parliamentary Election

   A fire that broke out at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools in Accra has destroyed crucial electoral materials, including ballot boxes and ballot papers, belonging to the Electoral Commission (EC) for the Ablekuma North Constituency. The incident, which occurred early in the morning on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, has heightened tensions in an already contentious political environment following the December 7 general elections.

According to the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS), the fire was brought under control and completely extinguished by 3:35 am, with no casualties reported among civilians or firefighters. In a statement issued on their official Facebook page, the GNFS provided a detailed account of the damage caused by the fire. The ground floor of the building, which served as a storage area for EC materials such as ballot boxes, printers, and ballot papers, was completely destroyed. Additionally, the first and second floors, which housed a computer lab, suffered partial damage, including damage to the building’s roofing. The GNFS, however, managed to salvage 15 computers and prevent further damage to the adjoining school block. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

This fire has occurred against the backdrop of intense political disputes surrounding the Ablekuma North Constituency, making it particularly sensitive. The constituency’s parliamentary race has been one of the most disputed in the 2024 elections. The EC initially declared the NDC candidate, Ewurabena Aubynn, as the winner of the seat, but the Commission later reversed this decision, calling the declaration illegal. The EC then ordered a re-collation of the results, which has been strongly opposed by the NDC, claiming that the re-collation process is illegal.

Both the NPP and the NDC have staked their claims to victory, with the NPP’s Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie and the NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn both asserting they won the election. This dispute has further fueled political tensions in the constituency, and the fire at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools has only intensified these tensions.

In response to the fire, the Ghana Police Service, in partnership with the GNFS, has launched a formal investigation into the cause of the blaze. The police assured the public that they would hold those responsible for the fire accountable, vowing to uphold peace and security. “We remain committed to ensuring that those involved in any unlawful activities face the full force of the law,” stated the police. They have also urged the public to remain calm as investigations into the fire continue.

This incident is just the latest in a series of post-election disturbances across the country. According to police reports, 132 individuals have been arrested in connection with election-related unrest. Of these, 45 suspects have been remanded in custody, 71 are on police enquiry bail, and 16 have been granted court bail. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring that any offenders are brought to justice.

The fire has raised serious concerns among political stakeholders, particularly in light of the ongoing legal and political disputes regarding the Ablekuma North parliamentary results. The destruction of the electoral materials has added a new layer of uncertainty to the already fraught situation. As investigations proceed, both political parties, the NPP and NDC, continue to hold strong to their respective claims of victory, leaving the outcome of the election in the constituency still unresolved.

The investigation into the fire, its causes, and its potential impact on the disputed election results will be closely monitored by all parties involved. The resolution of this issue is likely to play a significant role in determining the final outcome of the Ablekuma North parliamentary race, which remains a focal point of political attention in Ghana’s post-election period.