The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President-Elect John Dramani Mahama to intervene in ongoing election disputes to ensure peace and security. At a press conference held at the EC headquarters, Chairperson Jean Mensa provided updates on nine constituencies where parliamentary results remain unresolved due to disruptions during the collation process.
Ms. Mensa highlighted that the 2024 general elections, held on December 7, had been lauded by local and international observers as credible and transparent. However, she expressed concern about the actions of political party supporters, which she said had significantly disrupted collation processes.
COLLATION DISRUPTIONS
“At the close of polls on December 7, some political party leaders directed their supporters to besiege constituency collation centers. This directive led to chaos, bringing proceedings to a standstill,” Ms. Mensa explained.
She noted that supporters vandalized pink sheets, collation forms, and even electronic equipment used for collation. In some cases, EC staff were physically assaulted and threatened with death, forcing the collation process to halt.
These disruptions were the primary reason the EC could not complete the collation process in some constituencies before declaring the presidential results.
SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS
To address these challenges, the EC engaged with the Ghana Police Service to reassess security measures. The Tesano Police Depot was designated as the collation center for the remaining constituencies, including Ablekuma North, Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, Dome Kwabenya, Nsawam Adoagyiri, Akwatia, Fanteakwa North, Suhum, Techiman South, Obuasi East, Ahafo Ano North, and Ahafo Ano South West.
Political parties were invited to nominate two agents per constituency to oversee the process. Despite these arrangements, collation was only successfully completed in three constituencies: Akwatia, Fanteakwa North, and Suhum.
Ms. Mensa revealed that in Nsawam Adoagyiri, the process was halted after intelligence reports suggested supporters were planning to storm the Tesano Police Depot.
UNLAWFUL DECLARATIONS
The EC Chairperson reiterated the Commission’s commitment to transparency and fairness, stating that any results declared under unlawful circumstances would not be upheld.
In Ahafo Ano South West and Ahafo Ano North, collation was disrupted, and no winners were declared.
In Obuasi East, the returning officer was threatened with an axe and coerced into declaring results that did not reflect the collation forms.
In Okaikwei Central, only 110 polling station results were used out of 141, rendering the declaration invalid.
In Ablekuma North, results from 219 polling stations were used instead of 281.
In Tema Central, the declaration was based on 146 polling stations instead of 148, under duress.
In Bono East, officials were assaulted and forced to re-declare results at gunpoint before collation was completed.
In Dome Kwabenya, issues with three polling stations remain under investigation.
Ms. Mensa emphasized, “The Commission will not uphold any results that are incomplete or unlawful.”
APPEAL FOR INTERVENTION
In her concluding remarks, Ms. Mensa called on President Akufo-Addo and President-Elect Mahama to step in and ensure the EC is provided with adequate security to complete its mandate. She also urged the National Election Security Task Force to intensify efforts to protect EC staff and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
“Our mandate is to conduct credible, transparent, and fair elections that reflect the will of the people. We humbly call on our leaders to support the Commission in fulfilling this constitutional obligation,” she stated.
By Madjid Diallo || GhanaNewsOnline