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Election Watch Ghana (EWG) has raised fresh concerns over the repeated rerun of elections in the Kpandai constituency, saying the situation is wasting public resources and weakening trust in Ghana’s democratic institutions. The non-partisan group, known for monitoring elections and governance issues across the country, warned that the continuous organisation of rerun polls signals deeper problems in election management.
In a statement released and signed by its Conveners, Mark Ewusi Arkoh and Jude Balma, the organisation said the frequent reruns in Kpandai and some polling stations across Ghana show that basic electoral processes are not being handled properly. According to EWG, this has created an environment where voters are beginning to question the effectiveness and neutrality of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), especially when mistakes lead to repeated voting in the same areas.
The group noted that conducting rerun elections is expensive and puts unnecessary pressure on Ghana’s limited resources. They explained that funds used to organise repeat polls could have been directed to other pressing needs like education, health, or community development projects. EWG said the situation becomes even more worrying when taxpayers begin to feel that their money is being used to correct avoidable errors.
EWG stressed that for any democracy to function effectively, the electoral body must demonstrate transparency, accountability, and high professional standards. The group emphasised that election officers must remain neutral and follow clear guidelines to avoid irregularities that can force a rerun. They warned that repeated mistakes damage public confidence and create room for electoral disputes, tension, and suspicion among political parties and voters.
As the Kpandai by-election approaches, the watchdog urged all political actors, including the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to fully participate. They said democracy thrives only when every political party and independent candidate is actively involved in the process. EWG added that competitive elections give voters real choices and help strengthen institutions by ensuring that leaders are truly accountable to the people.
The organisation also encouraged the Electoral Commission to improve its internal systems, strengthen training for election officers, and ensure strict enforcement of its rules. According to the statement, the EC must take responsibility for the lapses that have led to unnecessary reruns and take urgent steps to rebuild public trust. EWG believes that with better supervision, stronger operational planning, and more transparency, the commission can reduce errors and improve the credibility of future elections.
Election Watch Ghana further appealed to citizens, civil society organisations, traditional leaders, community groups, and the media to join the call for comprehensive electoral reforms. They said Ghana’s democracy will remain strong only if all stakeholders work together to protect the integrity of elections. The group encouraged the public to remain active in demanding accountability, especially during sensitive periods such as by-elections and general elections.
EWG concluded that Ghana has built a strong reputation in West Africa for peaceful elections and democratic governance, and this legacy must be protected. They stressed that preventing avoidable reruns is an important step toward safeguarding the electoral process and ensuring that the voices of voters in places like Kpandai are heard clearly and without disruption. The organisation said all efforts must now focus on improving the system to prevent future irregularities that could undermine public trust.
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Source: https://radarr.africa/ewg-calls-for-str ... stituency/