The Electoral Commission (EC) has rejected the parliamentary results declared in nine contested constituencies, deeming them illegal and in violation of the electoral rules outlined in C.I. 127.
The constituencies in question include Nsawam Adoagyiri, Ahafo Ano Southwest, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, Techiman South, and Dome Kwabenya.
The EC explained that these results were incomplete and declared under pressure, necessitating the re-collation of the parliamentary results before any final declaration could be made.
During a media briefing on Thursday, December 19, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa expressed concern over threats and attacks on electoral officers in these areas, which led to the suspension of the collation process and resulted in forced declarations. She accused the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) of instructing its supporters to crowd the collation centres to cause confusion in the process and enforce illegal declarations.
Mensa elaborated: “In the Commission’s view, the directive to supporters to besiege the collation centres was intended to destroy vital documents, such as pin sheets, ballot papers, collation forms, and computers, to erase evidence required for the collation process.”
She also revealed that the re-collation process had been moved to the Tesano Police Training School on Thursday, December 12, where three results were declared. However, the process had to be suspended after police received warnings of an impending invasion by party supporters.
The EC Chairperson stated that the Commission would not recognize the winners declared in Okaikwei Central, Dome Kwabenya, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, and Obuasi East.
"In Okaikwei Central, only 110 polling stations were used to declare a winner instead of the 141 required. The Commission will not uphold that declaration," she said. “In Ablekuma North, 219 polling station results were used, instead of 281. This declaration will also not stand."
“In Tema Central, the District Officer (DO) faced threats and was forced to announce results using only 146 polling stations instead of 148. The Commission cannot accept that outcome."
"In Techiman South, the returning officer and staff were physically assaulted and coerced into re-declaring results before the collation process was complete. The Commission will not accept those results."
Mensa also noted that the outcome in Dome Kwabenya is under investigation due to disputes over three polling station results. She assured that the Commission is conducting an inquiry to resolve the issue and make a decision on those results.
She cautioned that accepting the disputed results would set a dangerous precedent for the country and revert it to a time of political instability.
In closing, Mensa appealed to both President Akufo-Addo and President-elect John Dramani Mahama to intervene and ensure that the results from the nine contested constituencies are properly collated and announced without further disruption.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0