The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that it will not accept the collated results for the Ablekuma North and Okaikwei Central constituencies from the recently concluded parliamentary elections.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, EC Chairperson Madam Jean Mensa explained that irregularities during the collation and subsequent declaration of results necessitated the decision.
According to the EC, the Okaikwei Central constituency winner was declared without incorporating results from 31 polling stations, while the Ablekuma North constituency omitted results from 62 polling stations. Both constituencies were declared in favor of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Madam Mensa condemned these declarations, describing them as “illegal” and asserting that the Commission could not uphold results declared under such circumstances.
“In spite of police presence at our regional offices, the collation process was once again disrupted and taken over by political party leaders and supporters, and the results were declared for both constituencies without due process being followed,” she stated.
She elaborated on the extent of the irregularities: “In the case of Okaikwei Central, a winner was declared without collating results from 31 polling stations. In the case of the Ablekuma North constituency, a winner was declared without collating results from 62 polling stations, this is unacceptable.
“It is important to note that the declarations made by our staff were made under threat, and Commission considers this as illegal, those declarations, as well as others that have gone on in other constituencies will not be upheld by the Commission,” she added.
Re-Collation for Nine Constituencies
The EC has announced plans to re-collate results in nine constituencies affected by similar issues. These include Nsawan Adoagyiri, Ahafo Ano South West, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, Techiman South, and Dome Kwabenya.
To facilitate this process, the EC Chair has called on the sitting President and President-elect to ensure enhanced security measures, allowing the Commission to carry out the re-collation in a safe and secure environment.
The rejection of these results underscores the EC’s commitment to ensuring electoral transparency and due process amidst heightened political tensions. Further updates on the re-collation are expected in the coming days.
Source: InsiderGH.com
