By: Baba Mohammed Issahaq
The Former Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Madam Mavis Hawa Koomson, was assaulted on Friday during a violent incident that disrupted the parliamentary rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency.
The chaos unfolded at the St. Peter’s polling station, where a group of unidentified thugs stormed the area and physically attacked several individuals, including Hawa Koomson, who was present to support the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie.
Eyewitnesses described the attackers as heavily built men who arrived in a coordinated manner, causing panic among voters and bringing the electoral process to a temporary halt. Security personnel eventually intervened to restore order.
Nana Akua Afriyie and a female NPP polling agent were also reportedly assaulted, sustaining visible facial injuries. Some members of the media covering the event were caught in the melee as well.
The Electoral Commission had ordered the rerun after annulling the December 7, 2024, election results over alleged irregularities. The constituency has since remained without a parliamentary representative.
Although the NPP officially boycotted the rerun in protest of the EC’s decision, Nana Akua Afriyie defied party orders and chose to contest the seat.
No arrests have been made yet, but the Ghana Police Service says investigations are ongoing. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and renewed calls for stronger security measures at polling centers.