Disputed Ablekuma North parliamentary election: Fire Outbreaks destroys ballot papers

Several voting boxes from the Ablekuma North constituency were damaged after a fire broke out at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools in Accra early on Tuesday, December 17.

The school library, which had been temporarily transformed into a vote box storage room after the general elections on December 7, is where the fire is said to have begun at 1:40 a.m. Shortly after the fire started, witnesses who lived close to the school saw strong smoke and flames engulfing the structure.

The incident occurs during a time when political emotions are high due to the Ablekuma North constituency’s parliamentary race.

The New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress disagreed on who won the constituency election in the general elections held on December 7, making this struggle one of the most watched.

After first declaring the seat for Ewurabena Aubynn, the NDC candidate, the Electoral Commission (EC) later changed its mind and deemed the declaration unlawful.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has ordered a re-collation of the results, but the NDC argues that it is unlawful to do so. Both the NPP candidate, Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie, and the NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn have declared victory, which has heightened tensions in the constituency.

Meanwhile, security authorities are still investigating the fire and the events that led to its outbreak.