Electoral Commission Attributes Re-collation of Results to Lawless Party Supporters, Not System Failure

The Ghana Electoral Commission (EC) has firmly stated that the chaotic scenes and subsequent need for re-collation of results in several constituencies during the recent general elections were not due to systemic failures, but rather a direct consequence of widespread lawlessness perpetrated by party supporters. The EC asserts that disruptions at collation centers, caused by unauthorized individuals besieging these locations, were the primary reason for the difficulties experienced in finalizing and releasing election results.

According to the EC, supporters of various political parties, acting upon instructions from their leaders, invaded constituency collation centers, which are legally restricted to accredited party agents, media personnel, EC officials, and authorized observers. This unlawful intrusion resulted in significant disruption to the collation process, including the destruction of property and electoral materials. The Deputy Director of Research at the Electoral Commission (EC), Fred Tetteh, emphasized this point in a recent interview, highlighting the direct link between the invasions and the subsequent need for re-collation in several constituencies.

Mr. Tetteh specifically pointed to 12 constituencies – Nsawam Adoagyiri, Ahafo Ano South West, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, Techiman South, and Dome Kwabenya – as examples where these disruptions occurred. He explained that the inability of EC officials to complete their duties due to these invasions necessitated the re-collation of results. The EC official underscored the lack of discipline among party supporters as the root cause of the issue, rather than any inherent flaw in the EC’s systems or processes.

The EC’s narrative places the responsibility for the chaotic scenes squarely on the shoulders of political parties and their supporters. Mr. Tetteh called for stricter adherence to electoral laws and appealed to political parties to ensure better discipline and conduct among their supporters during future elections. He made it clear that the disturbances experienced were not due to any fault on the part of the EC’s processes but instead, arose from instances of what he termed “lawlessness – rampaging, besieging, and preventing our people from carrying out their work.” The statement serves as a firm rebuke to party supporters for undermining the electoral process through their actions. The EC’s communication is intended to underscore that successful and orderly elections depend not just on the systems and procedures but also on the responsibility and discipline of all stakeholders, particularly political parties and their supporters.