EC calls on President Akufo-Addo and President-elect Mahama to Intervene in Election Disputes – Ghana Information On-line
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 make sure peace and safety. At a press convention held on the EC headquarters, Chairperson Jean Mensa supplied updates on 9 constituencies the place parliamentary outcomes stay unresolved on account of disruptions throughout the collation course of.
Ms. Mensa highlighted that the 2024 basic elections, held on December 7, had been lauded by native and worldwide observers as credible and clear. However, she expressed concern in regards to the actions of political get together supporters, which she stated had considerably 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 defined.
She famous that supporters vandalized pink sheets, collation kinds, and even digital gear used for collation. In some instances, EC workers have been bodily assaulted and threatened with demise, forcing the collation course of to halt.
These disruptions have been the first motive the EC couldn’t full the collation course of in some constituencies earlier than declaring the presidential outcomes.
SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS
To handle these challenges, the EC engaged with the Ghana Police Service to reassess safety measures. The Tesano Police Depot was designated because the collation heart for the remaining constituencies, together with 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 events have been invited to appoint two brokers per constituency to supervise the method. Despite these preparations, collation was solely efficiently accomplished in three constituencies: Akwatia, Fanteakwa North, and Suhum.
Ms. Mensa revealed that in Nsawam Adoagyiri, the method was halted after intelligence studies steered supporters have been planning to storm the Tesano Police Depot.
UNLAWFUL DECLARATIONS
The EC Chairperson reiterated the Commission’s dedication to transparency and equity, stating that any outcomes declared underneath illegal circumstances wouldn’t be upheld.
In Ahafo Ano South West and Ahafo Ano North, collation was disrupted, and no winners have been declared.
In Obuasi East, the returning officer was threatened with an axe and coerced into declaring outcomes that didn’t replicate the collation kinds.
In Okaikwei Central, solely 110 polling station outcomes have been used out of 141, rendering the declaration invalid.
In Ablekuma North, outcomes from 219 polling stations have been used as an alternative of 281.
In Tema Central, the declaration was based mostly on 146 polling stations as an alternative of 148, underneath duress.
In Bono East, officers have been assaulted and compelled to re-declare outcomes at gunpoint earlier than collation was accomplished.
In Dome Kwabenya, points with three polling stations stay underneath investigation.
Ms. Mensa emphasised, “The Commission will not uphold any results that are incomplete or unlawful.”
APPEAL FOR INTERVENTION
In her concluding remarks, Ms. Mensa referred to as on President Akufo-Addo and President-Elect Mahama to step in and make sure the EC is supplied with enough safety to finish its mandate. She additionally urged the National Election Security Task Force to accentuate efforts to guard EC workers and make sure the integrity of the electoral course of.
“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 acknowledged.
By Madjid Diallo || GhanaNewsOnline
