"Threats and attacks on EC staff jeopardize electoral process" – Jean Mensa

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has raised serious concerns over escalating threats, intimidation, and attacks on its staff, which have disrupted the collation of election results in nine constituencies.

Jean Adukwei Mensa, the EC Chairperson, made these revelations during a press briefing on December 19, 2024, describing the situation as alarming and unlawful.

She disclosed that staff members were physically assaulted, threatened with death, and forced to declare results under duress without following due collation processes.

“Images have emerged showing our staff being threatened and made to declare results stemming from incomplete collation processes,” she said, emphasizing that such actions undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

The EC's attempts to finalize collation in constituencies such as Ablekuma North, Okaikwei Central, and Tema Central have been thwarted by political party supporters who infiltrated collation centres, disrupting the process and pressuring EC officials to prematurely declare results.

Madam Mensa highlighted that, in some cases, winners were declared without collating results from numerous polling stations, describing these declarations as illegal and unacceptable.

In Okaikwei Central, for instance, a winner was declared without results from 31 polling stations, while in Ablekuma North, results from 62 polling stations were ignored.

Similar incidents occurred in Obuasi East, where a returning officer was threatened with an axe, and in Bono East, where staff were forced to declare results at gunpoint.

“The Commission considers these declarations unlawful and will not uphold them,” Madam Mensa stated, stressing that the EC is committed to ensuring that the true will of the people, as expressed at the polls, is upheld.

To address the security threats, the EC relocated collation centres to the Tesano Police Depot in collaboration with the Ghana Police Service.

However, this effort was also disrupted following intelligence reports of planned unrest by party supporters, forcing the police to advise the suspension of collation activities.

Madam Mensa lamented the challenges posed by the lack of adequate security, stating that the EC’s staff had been ready and willing to complete their tasks despite the threats and physical assaults.

"Their courage and resolve in the face of these challenges are commendable,” she said.

The EC Chairperson appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and President-Elect John Dramani Mahama to intervene and ensure that the necessary security measures are provided to protect EC staff and the integrity of the electoral process.

“We cannot set a precedent where anyone with force or might can take over a collation process and declare themselves winners. As a country, we must not go down that slippery slope,” Mensa warned.

Reiterating the EC’s mandate to conduct transparent, credible, and fair elections, Mensa assured Ghanaians that the Commission remains committed to completing the collation processes in the nine affected constituencies in line with due process.

“We humbly call on all citizens to support us in our bid to carry out our constitutional mandate,” she concluded.

The constituencies affected include Nsawam Adoagyiri, Dome Kwabenya, Ahafo Ano North, Ahafo Ano South West, Techiman South, Ablekuma North, Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, and Obuasi East.

The EC’s plea underscores the importance of safeguarding Ghana’s democratic values and ensuring that electoral outcomes reflect the genuine will of the people.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith