The Electoral Commission (EC) has clarified its decision to relocate the collation centres for 12 constituencies to the National Police Training School (NPTS), following recommendations from the Ghana Police Service.
According to the EC, this move was necessary to ensure the safety of its staff and uphold the integrity of the electoral process in the face of escalating threats and disruptions.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, December 19, Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the EC, highlighted the Ablekuma North and Okaikwei Central constituencies as key examples of where these adjustments were implemented.
She explained that relocating the collation centres to the EC’s Greater Accra Regional Office was essential to safeguard personnel and protect the process from undue interference.
Jean Mensa said the EC had taken measures to ensure transparency and fairness by informing all political parties of the changes and providing clear guidelines for representation at the new collation centres.
However, these guidelines were not adhered to, leading to a suspension of the process.
“In several instances, our staff faced death threats and were forced to declare outcomes without following the required collation procedures,” she stated. “Despite our discussions with the Ghana Police Service to secure protection in affected areas, threats persisted.”
She further explained, “As a result of these threats and the subsequent disruption of the collation process, the EC, in agreement with the Ghana Police Service, relocated the collation centres for the Ablekuma North and Okaikwei Central constituencies to the EC’s Greater Accra Regional Office. Political parties were notified of this decision and instructed to present two agents each for representation.”
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