The Electoral Commission (EC) has defended its decision to re-collate parliamentary results for disputed constituencies following the December 7 election. According to the Commission, this process is not unprecedented, citing past instances to support their position.
This clarification comes after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and sections of the public criticised the EC’s move to re-collate results in nine contested constituencies, describing it as unlawful.
The controversial re-collation took place at the Greater Accra Regional Office of the EC on Saturday, 21st December, under heavy security.
Following the re-collation, parliamentary candidates of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) were declared winners in seven constituencies, including:
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Nsawam-Adoagyiri
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Okaikwei Central
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Tema Central
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Ahafo Ano North
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Ahafo Ano South West
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Techiman South
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Obuasi East
Results from Dome Kwabenya and Ablekuma North remain pending, as the EC suspended the process due to the unavailability of hard copies of pink sheets for some electoral areas.
In a brief statement shared on Tuesday, 24th December, the Commission listed the following historical cases to justify its decision:
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1998 – During the District Level Elections in the Dompoase Kokwaado Electoral Area in the KEEA District, under Dr. Afari Gyan’s leadership, the Commission overturned an earlier declaration and declared the rightful winner.
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2004 – Under Dr. Afari Gyan, the EC re-collated and overturned parliamentary results in the Pru Constituency, declaring the NDC candidate the winner instead of the initially declared NPP candidate.
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2004 – Re-collation of results in the Tolon Constituency resulted in the declaration of the rightful candidate as the winner.
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2004 – Similarly, parliamentary results for the Yapei-Kusawgu Constituency were re-collated and declared in favour of the correct candidate.
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2004 – Results for the Zabzugu Constituency were also re-collated, leading to the declaration of the rightful winner.
The EC insists these precedents prove that re-collation is a legitimate and established part of the electoral process, aimed at ensuring fairness and accuracy in election results.
Source:
www.pulse.com.gh
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