Senior Presidential Advisor for Governmental Affairs, Dr. Valerie Sawyerr, has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Jean Mensa, to conduct a rerun of elections at 62 polling stations in the Ablekuma North Constituency. This demand follows allegations of irregularities and unlawful decisions during the collation process, particularly the use of scanned pink sheets from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) without original carbonated forms.
The controversy began after violent incidents at the Ablekuma North collation center during the December 7-8, 2024, elections resulted in the destruction of original carbonated pink sheets. Only 219 out of 281 polling stations had their results properly collated using carbonated forms, leaving 62 stations without validated results.
Dr. Sawyerr criticized the EC’s decision to accept scanned pink sheets from the NPP, which was initially rejected by the EC’s Director of Elections, Dr. Benjamin Bannor Bio. However, the EC’s Director of Training, Dr. Sereboe Quaicoe, later overturned this decision, allowing 42 scanned pink sheets to be used for collation despite opposition from the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
In her statement, Dr. Sawyerr emphasized the need for fairness and respect for democratic processes in Ablekuma North. She urged the EC to prioritize the voice of the people and ensure that justice is served. Dr. Sawyerr concluded with a call for calm and justice, stating, “I am for peace… Shalom.”
As the Senior Presidential Advisor for Governmental Affairs, Dr. Sawyerr has been instrumental in promoting transparency and accountability in governance. Her appointment to lead efforts in establishing a Government Council aimed at enhancing transparency, coordination, and accountability in governance underscores her commitment to good government.
