St. Peter's Methodist Church in Odorkor has over the years served as a polling centre

St. Peter's Methodist Church in Odorkor is thinking about not participating in upcoming elections as a collation center after violent events during Friday, July 11, 2025 parliamentary rerun in Ablekuma North.

The decision was announced by Rev. Ebenezer Kofi, the church's overseer, who cited political tension-related property damage and safety concerns.

This follows the chaotic events of Friday, when a group of unidentified macho men stormed the St. Peter's polling station, disrupting the process and violently attacking important political figures, such as former Fisheries Minister Hawa Koomson and Nana Akua Afriyie, a parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Despite increased security in the area, authorities were unable to restore order after the attack, which sent voters into a panic and resulted in a temporary stoppage of voting.

Rev. Kofi stated in an interview with Citi News on Saturday, July 12, that the church leadership had decided to formally ask the Electoral Commission (EC) and security services to move the nearby police post and the collation center from the church grounds.

“A decision has to be taken by the leadership of the church where we will take the collation centre from here, and by extension, we will take the polling station from here to prevent further incidents,” citinewsroom.com quotes him as saying.

Rev. Kofi said that the church suffered damage as a result of the 2024 general elections, but the EC has not provided any kind of reimbursement.

“Most of our assets were vandalised and destroyed because of the collation… even yesterday I was told that the residence of one of the ministers was also damaged,” he bemoaned.

Over the years, private facilities like schools and churches have been used by the EC as collation centres in general elections.

A lengthy electoral dispute resulting from irregularities in the December 7, 2024, Ablekuma North elections was resolved by the rerun, which was held across 19 polling locations.

Although the New Patriotic Party (NPP) formally boycotted the rerun, its candidate, Nana Akua Afriyie, disobeyed the order and ran in the race, losing narrowly to NDC candidate Ewurabena Aubynn.

KA

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