The Electoral Commission (EC) has defended its decision to re-collate parliamentary election results in nine constituencies disrupted by violence during the 2024 General Election.
Addressing a press conference in Accra, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare, Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services, cited historical precedents and security challenges as key reasons for the re-collation exercise.
According to Dr. Asare, while the constitutional instrument (C.I.) guiding elections prohibits re-collation after declarations, this applies only to declarations made following due process.
He argued that results declared under duress or through illegitimate means cannot be upheld, emphasizing that the Commission is committed to ensuring the will of the people is accurately reflected.
Dr. Asare highlighted similar instances under the leadership of former EC Chair, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan.
He referenced incidents in the Zabzugu-Tatale, Tolon, Yapei-Kusawgu, and Pru constituencies during the 2004 elections, where re-collation and recounts were conducted at regional offices due to security threats and disruptions at collation centers.
"In Zabzugu-Tatale, for instance, the collation center was attacked by a mob, resulting in the destruction of election materials and the hospitalization of the District Electoral Officer. The EC re-collated the results at the regional office in Tamale to ensure the integrity of the process," he recounted.
The Deputy Chairman outlined the disruptions that occurred during this year’s parliamentary elections.
He noted that mobs attacked collation centers in constituencies such as Techiman South, Tema Central, and Akwatia, forcing returning officers to declare results prematurely.
“In Obuasi East, for example, the wrong person was declared winner after the Returning Officer was coerced by a mob. However, with support from the Ghana Police Service and the National Election Security Taskforce, the EC has since rectified these anomalies in 10 out of the 12 affected constituencies,” he stated.
Dr. Asare further explained the rationale behind relocating the collation process for the remaining two constituencies to Accra.
He revealed that consultations with the Ghana Police Service and the Election Security Taskforce concluded that the security situation in the affected constituencies made it unsafe to complete the process locally.
“The EC does not gazette collation centers. As such, when security concerns impede the collation process, we are mandated to identify safer venues. This approach ensures the integrity of the electoral process while safeguarding the lives of all stakeholders,” he added.
Dr. Asare reaffirmed the EC’s independence as enshrined in Article 46 of the 1992 Constitution, urging all stakeholders to respect the Commission’s mandate.
He stressed that any grievances regarding the process should be addressed through legal channels.
“We are committed to carrying out our mandate to its logical conclusion. Once that is done, anyone with adverse findings can proceed to court,” he concluded.
The Deputy Chairman thanked the media for their support throughout the electoral process and extended Christmas and New Year wishes to all Ghanaians.
The EC is optimistic that the outstanding results will be declared ahead of the swearing-in of the new Parliament, ensuring a smooth transition in the nation’s governance.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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