The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the Electoral Commission’s (EC) declaration of Ernest Yaw Kumi, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, as the Member of Parliament-elect for the Akwatia constituency in the Eastern Region.
The controversy arose after the EC moved the collation of disputed results from constituencies in the Eastern Region to the Police Training School in Tesano, Greater Accra. The decision was made to avoid the chaos experienced in some collation centers during the December 2024 elections. Following the collation, Mr. Kumi was declared the winner of the Akwatia seat.
However, Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor, a key figure in the NDC, disputed the declaration, citing what he described as irregularities in the process.
Allegations of Irregularities
Speaking to Joy News, Dr. Otokunor claimed that the NPP’s polling agents lacked original copies of the official pink sheets, the critical documents used to verify election results. "They don’t have a pink sheet at all; they have photocopies of what is considered the pink sheet," he stated.
He further explained that even with the photocopied pink sheets, discrepancies were identified between the numbers recorded by the NDC and those presented by the NPP. These inconsistencies, according to Dr. Otokunor, undermined the credibility of the declared results.
Dr. Otokunor also alleged that the collation process at the Police Training School was conducted without the presence of NDC representatives. "Unfortunately, our team arrived late at the venue, and despite our objections, the process continued," he said.
He recounted contacting the EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, to request a delay in the collation process, allowing NDC representatives time to arrive. According to him, the request was denied. "She said she would consult with the Commission and get back to me, but by the time she called back, they had already declared the results," he revealed.
NDC Demands Re-Collation
Dr. Otokunor described the declaration of Mr. Kumi as "illegal, unfounded, and non-existent," insisting that the Akwatia constituency’s election results remain unresolved. He called for a proper collation of the results and a legitimate declaration for the seat.
The Akwatia constituency is not the only contested area. Results from two other constituencies in the Eastern Region have also been disputed, adding to the tension between the NDC and the EC.
Broader Implications
As of the latest parliamentary results, the NPP has secured 77 seats, while the NDC has won 185 seats. There are four independent MPs-elect, while several seats remain unaccounted for due to disputes.
The NDC’s rejection of the Akwatia results highlights ongoing concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. The party's leadership has vowed to protect every parliamentary seat, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring justice in constituencies where disputes have arisen.
Election Tensions Persist
The declaration of results in Akwatia is the latest in a series of controversies that have marred the 2024 elections. The EC’s decision to move collation to the Police Training School was intended to prevent violence, but it has not resolved the underlying disagreements between political parties.
The NDC’s frustration echoes broader concerns raised about the conduct of the elections. Allegations of irregularities and mismanagement have fueled tensions, with both the NDC and NPP accusing each other of foul play.
Calls for Peace and Transparency
Despite the disputes, political leaders and civil society organizations have called for calm. They emphasize the need for dialogue and transparency to resolve election-related disputes peacefully. The West African Election Forum (WAEF), which monitored the elections, commended Ghana for conducting a largely successful election but criticized the incidents of violence and irregularities in some constituencies.
The NDC’s demand for a re-collation in Akwatia reflects the stakes involved in parliamentary elections, where every seat matters. As the transition to the new government continues, resolving these disputes will be critical to maintaining the country’s democratic stability.
Outlook
The declaration of Ernest Yaw Kumi as the MP-elect for Akwatia remains a contentious issue. With both the NDC and NPP standing firm on their positions, the resolution of this dispute may ultimately require intervention from the courts or the EC itself.
As Ghana navigates the aftermath of a heated election season, the hope remains that political parties and stakeholders will prioritize the nation’s democratic values and work toward a fair resolution of all outstanding issues.
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