The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, Madam Jean Mensa, has officially declared His Excellency former President John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), as the winner of the 2024 presidential election.
The declaration was made during a press briefing held at the EC headquarters in Accra, amid nationwide anticipation. Madam Mensa, serving as the Returning Officer for the presidential election, highlighted the constitutional mandate that requires a candidate to secure at least 50% plus one of the valid votes cast to be declared the winner.
“We have collated the presidential results from all 16 administrative regions of which 267 of the 276 constituencies have been captured. We have not been able to receive results from 9 constituencies because our offices have been besieged by political party supporters, making it impossible to complete the collation process”.
Madam Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana
However, the EC determined that even if all votes from these constituencies were added to the runner-up’s tally, it would not alter the outcome of the election.
Presidential Election Results
The results, as announced, were based on the candidates’ positions on the ballot with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party obtaining 4,000,655,304 votes (41.61%).
Mr Daniel Augustus Lartey Jnr of the GCPP also secured 16,673 votes (0.15%), Christian Kwabena Andrews of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) gained 16,461 votes (0.15%), and Kofi Akpalu of the LPG garnered 5,219 votes (0.09%).
Again, Mr Mohammed Frimpong of the National Democratic Party obtained 4,413 votes (0.04%), Nana Akosua Frimpomaa of the CPP secured 23,397 votes (0.21%) while former President John Dramani Mahama (NDC) obtained 6,000,328,397 votes (56.55%).
Additionally, Mr Hassan Ayariga of the APC obtained 17,461 votes (0.16%), Kofi Koranteng (Independent) got 3,320 votes (0.03%), George Twum-Barima-Adu (Independent), received 3,091 votes (0.02%), Nana Kwame Bediako (Independent) had 84,478 votes (0.05%) and finally Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen of the Movement for Change secured 31,202 votes (0.28%).
The total valid votes cast stood at 11,191,422, with 230,109 votes rejected. The overall voter turnout from the 267 constituencies was recorded at 60.9%, out of a total registered voter base of 18,774,001.
Madam Jean Mensa explained that the nine outstanding constituencies account for a total of 947,116 registered voters.
She pointed out that even in the unlikely scenario where all these votes were cast for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the runner-up, the total valid votes would increase to 12,138,538, with Mr. Mahama still maintaining a decisive lead at 52.13% of the votes.
In light of the above, Madam Mensa stated, “I have the singular honour as the Returning Officer of the 2024 presidential election to declare His Excellency John Dramani Mahama as the winner of the 2024 presidential election and the President-elect of the Republic of Ghana, with a total percentage of 56.55%.”
She extended congratulations to Mr Mahama and thanked all stakeholders for their cooperation throughout the electoral process.
The declaration has sparked widespread celebrations among NDC supporters nationwide. Political analysts note the significance of Mr. Mahama’s victory, marking his return to the presidency after his tenure from 2012 to 2016.
The EC emphasized its commitment to transparency and pledged to update the public with results from the remaining nine constituencies as soon as the situation permits.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson urged all citizens to remain peaceful and support the nation’s democratic process.
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