The Electoral Commission (EC) has faced criticism for its decision to re-collate parliamentary results for disputed constituencies following the December 7 election. However, the Commission has defended its actions, citing historical cases to justify the process.
The controversial re-collation took place at the Greater Accra Regional Office of the EC on Saturday, December 21, amidst heavy security. Following the re-collation, parliamentary candidates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) were declared winners in seven constituencies, including Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Okaikwei Central, Tema Central, Ahafo Ano North, Ahafo Ano South West, Techiman South, and Obuasi East. Results from Dome Kwabenya and Ablekuma North are still pending as the EC suspended the process due to missing hard copies of pink sheets for some electoral areas.
In a statement released on Tuesday, December 24, the EC referenced historical cases to justify its decision to re-collate results. In 1998, during the District Level Elections in the Dompoase Kokwaado Electoral Area in the KEEA District, the Commission overturned an earlier declaration to declare the rightful winner. In 2004, the EC under Dr. Afari Gyan re-collated and overturned parliamentary results in the Pru Constituency, declaring the NDC candidate the winner instead of the initially declared NPP candidate. Similar instances of re-collation and declaration of rightful winners were cited for the Tolon, Yapei-Kusawgu, and Zabzugu constituencies in 2004.
The EC maintains that these historical precedents demonstrate that re-collation is a legitimate and established part of the electoral process. The aim is to ensure fairness and accuracy in election results, ultimately upholding the integrity of the democratic process.
As the controversy surrounding the re-collation of parliamentary results continues, the EC stands by its decision and emphasizes the importance of following established procedures to guarantee transparency and credibility in the electoral process.
