By: Ashiadey Dotse
Former Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye,says the Electoral Commission (EC) is acting under serious pressure following its decision to conduct a re-run of the parliamentary election in the Ablekuma North Constituency.
Speaking in an interview with Journalist on Friday July 11, 2025 at the voting center, Dr. Okoe Boye said the EC had earlier maintained there was no need for a re-run, but suddenly changed its position. According to him, this shift suggests the Commission is not operating independently.
”This Electoral Commission is under serious coercion. People may not be talking, but the signs are clear,” he stated. “How can an institution that said there will be no re-run suddenly reverse that decision? It’s like someone putting a gun to your head to smoke when you never have.”
Dr. Okoe Boye also raised concerns about political interference in state institutions, warning that Ghana’s democracy could be weakened if independent bodies like the EC are not protected from political pressure.
He stated that the actions of the Electoral Commission suggest that institutions in the country are being manipulated behind the scenes.
“Today, a party chairman is sitting somewhere and deciding who should be removed from public office. If this continues, we will lose trust in our democratic processes.”
He further explained that his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), is in a difficult position, trying to balance support for their candidate with concerns about how the EC has handled the matter.
”The widow who has gone through so much, including needing police protection just to leave the collation center, deserves support. But we must also look at the bigger picture and protect the independence of our democratic institutions,” he added.
Dr. Okoe Boye also stated that regardless of which party wins the re-run, it may not change much in Parliament. However, the bigger issue is ensuring that state institutions are not used as political tools.
