Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa has accused political parties of instigating disruptions that marred the collation of parliamentary results in 12 constituencies.
This obstruction forced the commission to nullify results in some areas and postpone the collation process in others.
The affected constituencies include Dome Kwabenya, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Techiman South, Suhum, Akwatia, Fanteakwa North, Ahafo Ano North, and Tema Central.
The EC initially relocated the recollation process to the Police Training Centre at Tesano in an effort to ensure transparency and security after earlier disruptions.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, December 19, 2024, Jean Mensa detailed how members and leaders of both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) disrupted proceedings.
“Our collation centres were once again disrupted and taken over by political party leaders and supporters, and results were declared for those constituencies without due process being followed,” she said.
Specific instances of irregularities were highlighted:
- Okaikwei Central: Results from 31 polling stations were excluded, yet a winner was declared.
- Ablekuma North: Results from 62 polling stations were not collated before declaring a winner.
“These declarations were made under threat, and the commission considers them illegal. They will not be upheld,” the EC chairperson emphasised.
Jean Mensa attributed the chaos to political interference and condemned the actions of the NDC and NPP, accusing them of undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
The disruption also stalled the collation process for other constituencies like Dome Kwabenya and Tema Central, where violence and unrest forced officials to halt activities.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has challenged the recollation directive, arguing that results declared at polling stations should stand as final. This position has heightened tensions between the commission and political stakeholders.
Despite the challenges, the EC chairperson reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accuracy in the electoral process.
“We are resolute in upholding the principles of a free and fair election. The actions of a few will not deter us from delivering credible results,” Jean Mensa assured.
The Electoral Commission has called on all political parties to exercise restraint and adhere to electoral laws. It has also urged civil society organisations and international observers to continue monitoring the situation to ensure fairness and accountability.
As the commission works to resolve the disputes in the remaining constituencies, the outcome is expected to have significant implications for parliamentary representation and the broader democratic process in Ghana.