The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that it will declare the final presidential results within 72 hours after polls close on December 7, 2024. The Commission assured the public that it is fully prepared to conduct free, fair, and credible elections, emphasizing that recent reforms have been implemented to enhance transparency and accountability throughout the electoral process.
In a statement, the EC noted that the 72-hour timeline is designed to allow for meticulous collation and verification of results to prevent errors and disputes.
This move comes after the 2020 elections, where the Commission faced backlash for pledging to announce results within 24 hours, a promise that ultimately led to controversy over inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the declared outcomes.
Deputy Chairperson of the EC, Dr. Bossman Asare, expressed confidence in the Commission’s readiness and assured citizens that lessons from past elections have informed the new measures.
“We have learned from the challenges of previous elections and have instituted robust systems to ensure that this time, we get it right. The 72-hour timeframe is realistic and allows us to balance speed with accuracy,” he said.
Key reforms include enhanced training for electoral officers, improved data transmission systems, and the introduction of additional safeguards for result collation at the constituency and regional levels. The EC has also promised real-time updates to keep the public informed and reduce speculation during the results collation period.
The announcement has been met with mixed reactions from political parties and civil society groups.
While some commend the Commission for taking steps to improve transparency, others have expressed skepticism, urging the EC to demonstrate its commitment to fairness on election day.
As the countdown to December 7 continues, stakeholders, including political parties, election observers, and the general public, are closely watching to see if the EC will deliver on its promise of a smooth and credible electoral process.
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Story by: Osei Akoto (Teacher Kojo) #Ahotoronline.com/oseiakotor1@gmail.com
