Ashanti Regional Council of State candidate, Rose Hamilton, has announced her withdrawal from the Ashanti Regional Council of State election rerun.
She cites concerns over the violent disruptions that marred the initial voting process on 11 February 2025.
In a statement released on Sunday (16 February), her campaign team stated that the decision was made after deep reflection on the implications of the chaos witnessed during the election, where ballot papers were destroyed, and lives were endangered.
“As a firm believer in democracy, peace, and the unity of our great region, Mrs. Rose Hamilton has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the rerun election scheduled for tomorrow, February 17, 2025,” the statement read. “This decision is not out of fear but out of her unwavering commitment to ensuring peace in Ashanti and Ghana as a whole. No political position is worth the loss of lives or the destabilization of our democratic process.”
Her withdrawal comes amid heightened tensions after individuals linked to the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) disrupted the initial voting process. While the police have launched investigations into the incident, no arrests have been made so far.
Hamilton expressed gratitude to her supporters, family, and campaign team, acknowledging their dedication throughout the process. She reaffirmed her commitment to serving the Ashanti Region in other meaningful ways and called on the Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure a free and fair election.
The rerun, scheduled for today, will proceed with the remaining candidates vying for the regional representative position on the Council of State.
