President-elect John Dramani Mahama has issued a strong call to Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), urging it to demonstrate fairness, consistency, and integrity in its management of disputed parliamentary results.
This comes in response to the EC’s recent announcement that it would not uphold the declaration of results in nine constituencies, citing allegations that some of these declarations were made under duress. The constituencies affected include Ablekuma North, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Techiman South, and Dome-Kwabenya, among others.
Mahama expressed concerns over what he described as the EC’s selective application of rules, accusing the Commission of inconsistent handling of similar cases in the past. He cited the contentious Techiman South parliamentary results during the 2020 general elections, where the EC proceeded with a declaration despite widespread irregularities and objections from stakeholders.
Inconsistencies Undermine Public Trust
The President-elect questioned the EC’s decision to halt the re-collation of results in the nine constituencies, noting procedural lapses and reports of intimidation of its officials. He argued that such inconsistencies undermine public trust in the EC’s ability to act as an impartial arbiter in Ghana’s electoral process.
Speaking to African ambassadors and high commissioners on Friday, December 20, Mahama highlighted the critical need for transparency and fairness in the EC’s operations. He emphasized that the Commission must engage all political stakeholders to ensure justice is not only done but seen to be done.
“The few outstanding issues arising from the elections, where nine constituencies are in dispute, require the EC to act in a principled manner,” Mahama stated. “You cannot change the rules when it suits you and apply different rules under similar circumstances.”
Highlighting Double Standards
Mahama further pointed out the EC’s contradictory approach, drawing attention to its stance during the 2020 elections. At the time, the EC insisted that once a declaration had been made, it was not within its purview to resolve grievances, advising stakeholders to seek redress in court.
“In 2020, despite chaotic scenes and military presence during the Techiman South declaration, the EC refused calls for re-collation and directed aggrieved parties to the courts. Yet today, under similar circumstances, the rules seem to have shifted,” he remarked.
Call for Fairness and Justice
The President-elect concluded his address with a strong appeal for fairness and justice to guide the EC’s actions.
“The goalposts must not shift based on who is involved. Fairness and justice must underpin everything we do,” Mahama asserted. “The EC’s actions must inspire confidence in our democratic institutions, both among Ghanaians and the international community.”
Mahama’s remarks underscore the growing scrutiny on Ghana’s electoral process and the pivotal role of the Electoral Commission in safeguarding the nation’s democracy. As the disputes over the nine constituencies remain unresolved, all eyes are on the EC to rise to the occasion and restore trust in its operations.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson
