Electoral Commission Defends Re-collation of Results in Nine Constituencies

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has justified its decision to re-collate election results in nine constituencies following initial declarations, emphasizing that such actions are not unprecedented in Ghana’s electoral history.
In a statement shared on social media, the EC outlined examples of similar occurrences in past elections, reinforcing its stance on ensuring accuracy and fairness in election outcomes.
“Re-collation after the declaration of results is not new. It has happened before,” the EC noted, citing notable instances:
1. 1998: During district-level elections in the Dompose Kokwaado Electoral Area in the KEEA District, the EC, led by Dr. Afari Gyan, overturned an earlier declaration to announce the correct winner.
2. 2004: Parliamentary results in the Pru Constituency were re-collated, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate eventually declared the winner over the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate.
3. 2004: Re-collation in the Tolon Constituency resulted in the rightful candidate being declared.
4. 2004: Similar actions in the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency corrected the initial outcome.
5. 2004: In the Zabzugu Constituency, a re-collation ensured the correct winner was declared.
The EC emphasized that the move to re-collate results in the nine constituencies, including Ahafo Ano North and Techiman South, was necessary to address discrepancies. While critics have questioned the timing and potential impact, the Commission maintained that the measure aligns with its mandate to deliver free, fair, and credible elections.
According to the EC, re-collation is a corrective measure aimed at safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. The Commission reassured the public of its commitment to upholding transparency and ensuring declared results reflect the true will of the people.
The decision has sparked public debate, with stakeholders calling for greater clarity on how discrepancies arise and are addressed during elections.