Lawyer and Senior Vice President of IMANI-Africa, Kofi Bentil, has warned that the widespread notion that elections are won at polling stations is contributing to electoral violence and threatening Ghana’s democratic stability.

Mr. Bentil, speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile programme on Saturday, December 20, argued that framing elections as battles to be won at polling centres encourages lawlessness and confrontations, especially when results are contested.

“The idea that elections are won at the polling stations generates violence. It creates the mindset that if you can control or disrupt the polling station, you can change the outcome,” he stated.

According to Mr. Bentil, elections are governed by legal frameworks and institutional processes, not by physical control of voting centres. He emphasized that any disputes arising from elections should be resolved through constitutional and legal channels, not through force.

“Elections are won by following the law, by the collation process, and ultimately by the courts if there is a dispute—not by intimidation or chaos at polling stations,” Bentil added.

His comments follow the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend preparations for the Kpandai parliamentary rerun, initially scheduled for December 30, 2025, by the Electoral Commission (EC).

In a unanimous ruling, the court directed the EC to halt all activities related to the rerun while it considers a legal challenge aimed at overturning the High Court judgment that annulled the 2024 parliamentary election in the constituency.

Mr. Bentil welcomed the Supreme Court’s intervention, describing it as crucial to prevent confusion and potential unrest. He noted the suspension raises important constitutional questions regarding jurisdiction, electoral rights, and timing, urging political actors and their supporters to exercise restraint.

“When matters are before the courts, everyone must stand down. The rule of law is the only way to protect our democracy,” he said.

The case has been adjourned to January 13, 2026, and the Electoral Commission is legally bound to suspend the rerun until a final determination is made.

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