‘What at all is holding up Ablekuma North results?’ – Samuel Jinapor fumes – Nsemkeka
The Member of Parliament for Damongo Constituency, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has expressed serious concern over undeclared election results for Ablekuma North Constituency, which has left the constituency without parliamentary representation for six months.
Speaking on JoyNews’ The Pulse show today, Wednesday, June 4, Mr Jinapor highlighted that while results for 275 out of 276 constituencies have been declared, Ablekuma North remains unresolved.
“When elections are conducted, the results of the elections have to be declared, should they? We have 276 constituencies; out of them, 275 have been declared. What, at all, is the reason why Ablekuma North has not been declared since the clear month in which the elections were held? I think we must have answers to that.”
He emphasised the critical role that democratic institutions must play in ensuring transparency and the smooth running of elections.
“I think that in a democracy, institutions must work, and if institutions are not up to the task, you will have citizens, groups, and political parties taking measures of their own, which is the last thing we want to have in our country.”
Mr Jinapor pointed out that the Electoral Commission has formally requested protection from the Ghana Police Service to conclude the electoral process in Ablekuma North.
“if the Electoral Commission has come out formally to indicate that what they require to bring the Ablekuma North elections to closure and same firm conclusion is protection from the Ghana Police Service, what is preventing the Ghana Police Service from doing that? I find that whole situation bizarre.”
He defended the protest staged by the Minority in Parliament, explaining that it was aimed at holding authorities accountable.
“I believe as the Minority, we have taken the position, which is the protest today. It is essentially to bring to the front burner and to demand and insist that the police are up to the task and live up to their responsibility, and provide protection for the Electoral Commission to discharge its mandate of declaring the results of Ablekuma North.”
The MP underscored the importance of representation for the people of Ablekuma North.
The people of Ablekuma North deserve representation in Parliament, and as we speak today, isn’t it totally anomalous and scandalous that there is a whole constituency for six months without a representative?
As it stands now, the victor of that election and the winner of that election is pretty clear.
It is quite obvious that the NPP candidate won the election, and the reason why some individuals, groups, or political parties have made it a point to prevent the collation of the results and the subsequent declaration is because they already know the outcome.”
He concluded with a call for justice and transparency in Ghana’s democratic process.
“I don’t think it’s good for our democracy. I don’t think it is a good delivery of the government. The government has a considerable majority in Parliament, and even if they didn’t, let right be right, let justice prevail, and let the winner of the election be declared — and declared immediately.”
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