The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has strongly condemned the Electoral Commission (EC) for its defense of the re-collation of election results in nine constituencies after their initial declaration.
The Deputy Director of Elections for the NDC, Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer described the EC’s justification as “unacceptable.”
He also accused the Commission of acting in an increasingly “lawless” manner.
“This defense should be thrown out completely,” Dr. Tanko-Computer stated.
This follows the EC defending its decision to re-collate results in nine constituencies after they were initially declared, stating that such actions are not unprecedented in the country’s electoral history.
In a tweet, the EC provided examples from previous elections where re-collation led to changes in declared outcomes, stating the importance of ensuring accuracy and fairness in election results.
“Re-collation after the declaration of results is not new. It has happened before,” the EC stated, listing notable instances:
1. 1998: During district-level elections in the Dompose Kokwaado Electoral Area in the KEEA District, the EC, under the leadership of Dr. Afari Gyan, overturned an earlier declaration and declared the correct candidate as the winner.
2. 2004: Under Dr Afari Gyan, the EC re-collated parliamentary results in the Pru Constituency, overturning the initial declaration in favour of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, who was subsequently declared the winner over the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate.
3. 2004: The Tolon Constituency results were re-collated, and the correct candidate was declared the winner.
4. 2004: Re-collation also took place in the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency, leading to the declaration of the rightful winner.
5. 2004: Similarly, in the Zabzugu Constituency, a re-collation resulted in the correct candidate being declared as the winner.
However, Dr. Tanko-Computer voiced the party’s dissatisfaction, emphasising that the EC’s current position contradicts previous statements made by the Commission.
He referred to a notable instance in Techiman South, where EC Chairperson Jean Mensa reportedly maintained that once results were declared, dissatisfied parties could not request a re-collation or recount.
“Who are they fooling with this sudden shift?” he questioned, asserting that the EC’s justification was inconsistent.
“The Electoral Commission is becoming a very lawless institution, and we must hold it accountable for its actions.”
Source: Emma Ankrah
READ ALSO: