The Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that the ongoing re-collation of parliamentary election results in several constituencies was necessitated by widespread lawlessness during the collation process. According to Fred Tetteh, the Deputy Director of Research at the EC, the disruptions were caused by unruly behavior from political parties and their supporters, making it impossible for the commission to complete its work in some areas.
Speaking on the "Big Issues" program on Channel One TV on December 21, 2024, Tetteh expressed concern about the incidents that marred the electoral process. He explained that the affected constituencies, including Nsawam Adoagyiri, Ahafo Ano South West, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, Techiman South, and Dome Kwabenya, experienced chaotic scenes that undermined the commission’s efforts.
The re-collation exercise comes after an Accra High Court ruling ordered the EC to revisit and finalize results for nine constituencies. The ruling followed allegations of discrepancies and irregularities during the collation process, which were further exacerbated by violent disruptions.
Fred Tetteh described the actions of political supporters as an affront to Ghana’s democratic principles. He highlighted specific instances where EC officials were prevented from carrying out their duties due to threats, intimidation, and physical confrontations.
"When you look at what is happening and what has happened, specifically in those constituencies, it is just an issue of lawlessness—rampaging, besieging, and preventing our people from performing their duties. Supporters, candidates, and their agents disrupted the process, leading to this situation," he stated.
Disrupted Collation Process
The re-collation exercise seeks to restore confidence in the electoral process following chaotic scenes in the affected constituencies. Observers have reported instances where ballot boxes were allegedly tampered with, collation centers were invaded, and EC officials were harassed. These disruptions not only delayed the announcement of results but also raised questions about the transparency and credibility of the elections.
In some cases, political party representatives reportedly stormed collation centers to challenge the results, leading to violent confrontations. These actions disrupted the collation process, prompting the EC to halt proceedings and seek legal intervention to resolve the disputes.
Need for Electoral Discipline
Fred Tetteh called for stricter adherence to Ghana’s electoral laws and urged political parties to educate their supporters on the importance of maintaining discipline during elections. He stressed that the integrity of the electoral process depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders.
"As a nation, we must prioritize discipline and respect for the rule of law during elections. Political parties have a responsibility to ensure their supporters behave appropriately and do not obstruct the work of the EC," he said.
Tetteh also emphasized the need for reforms to address the underlying issues that led to the disruptions. He suggested stronger penalties for electoral offenses and greater accountability for individuals and groups that engage in disruptive behavior.
Progress of Re-Collation
Despite the challenges, the EC has made significant progress in re-collating results for some constituencies. Results have already been declared for several areas, including:
Tema Central: Charles Forson of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) won with 18,870 votes.
Nsawam Adoagyiri: Frank Annoh-Dompreh of the NPP retained his seat with 29,640 votes.
Techiman South: Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah of the NPP emerged victorious with 46,663 votes.
The re-collation exercise has been conducted under tight security, with police and military personnel deployed to ensure the safety of EC officials and stakeholders. Representatives from political parties, civil society organizations, and international observers have also been present to monitor the process.
Mixed Reactions
The re-collation has elicited mixed reactions from political parties. While the ruling NPP has welcomed the process, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns about the credibility of the exercise. In some constituencies, NDC representatives have rejected the re-collated results, citing unresolved irregularities.
Political analysts have noted that the outcome of the re-collation could significantly impact the balance of power in Parliament, where the results from these constituencies are expected to play a decisive role.
Way Forward
The EC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and fairness in the electoral process. Fred Tetteh assured the public that the commission is working diligently to complete the re-collation exercise and address any outstanding issues.
"We are determined to uphold the integrity of Ghana’s electoral system. The re-collation exercise is being conducted with the highest level of transparency to restore public confidence," he stated.
As the re-collation process nears completion, Ghanaians are watching closely to see how the EC resolves the remaining disputes and ensures a fair outcome. The incidents that led to the exercise have sparked discussions about the need for electoral reforms to prevent similar occurrences in future elections.
For now, the focus remains on finalizing the results and ensuring that Ghana’s democratic principles are upheld.
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