Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC) Jean Mensa has said that the commission would not uphold the declaration of parliamentary results in nine constituencies because they were done under duress.
The constituencies were Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Ahafo Ano South West, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, Techiman South, Dome-Kwabenya.
Madam Mensa said all the outstanding collations in the nine constituencies will follow due processes.
“The declarations made by our staff were made under threats and we consider them illegal, We will not uphold results made under threats, duress,” she said at a press conference in Accra on Thursday, December 19.
She further called on the outgoing President, Akufo-Addo and the incoming President John Dramani Mahama to provide security to officials of the commission to enable them to fully complete their work in the 2024 general elections.
“We call on Akufo-Addo, John Mahama to intervene in this matter and provide the commission with adequate security,” Jean Mensa added.
The EC also clarified its decision to relocate the collation centres for some 12 constituencies to the National Police Training School (NPTS), saying it was made following recommendations from the Ghana Police Service.
This decision, according to the EC, was taken to ensure the safety of its staff and maintain the integrity of the electoral process amid escalating threats and disruptions.
Jean Mensa cited the Ablekuma North and Okaikwei Central constituencies as specific examples.
“In a number of instances, our staff have been threatened with death and forced to declare outcomes without adhering to the processes governing collation. It is instructive to note that the EC has held discussions with the Ghana Police Service and had requested protection in areas where collations were supposed to have continued but some of our staff were still threatened.
“Due to the threats faced by our staff and the disruption of the processes, the EC agreed with the Ghana Police Service to relocate the collation centres from the Ablekuma North and Okaikwei Central constituencies to the EC’s Greater Accra Regional Office, and it was agreed that each political party will present two agents, and the political parties were notified accordingly.”