The Electoral Commission of the Graduate Students’ Association of Ghana (GRASAG National) has strongly condemned the violence and irregularities that marred the recent elections held on March 5, 2025, at Ensign Global University.
The Commission also nullified all election results currently being circulated, declaring them invalid and unauthorized.
In an official statement issued by Electoral Commissioner Manaf Abdallah, the Commission expressed deep regret over the unfortunate incidents that marred the electoral process.
It reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to democratic principles, emphasizing that transparency, fairness, and integrity remain the cornerstone of student governance.
The Commission assured the student body that it would take the necessary steps to rectify the situation and uphold the credibility of the electoral process.
“It is unacceptable that some students were subjected to intimidation, and certain institutions were prevented from exercising their right to vote due to the disruptions that ensued.
“As the Electoral Commission of GRASAG National, we firmly uphold the principle that no student or institution should be disenfranchised under any circumstances.”
GRASAG EC
The commission strongly condemned what it viewed as the unnecessary interference of National Security Operatives and the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) in student elections.
It argued that the presence of these security agencies not only disrupted the democratic process but also instilled fear and panic among students, many of whom felt intimidated by their involvement.
GRASAG National emphasized that student elections should remain independent and free from any form of external influence, particularly from state security institutions.
It reiterated the importance of allowing students to freely exercise their voting rights in a secure and transparent environment without fear of coercion or manipulation.
The association called on authorities to respect the autonomy of student governance and to ensure that such interference does not recur in future elections.
Irregularities Render Election Results Invalid
The GRASAG noted that Article 23(3) of its Constitution, mandates that immediately after the polls close, the Electoral Commissioner must count the ballot papers in the presence of candidates, their representatives, and polling agents.
The votes cast for each candidate must then be recorded and declared at the polling station.
Similarly, the Constitutional Instruments of the Electoral Commission, specifically Sections 3(8), (9), and (11), outline additional requirements for transparency in the electoral process.
The presiding officer is required to complete and sign a declaration form detailing the total votes counted, the votes received by each candidate, and any spoiled ballots, all in the presence of polling agents.
Additionally, polling agents representing each candidate must sign the declaration form as determined by the Electoral Commission.
Finally, after announcing the results, the Electoral Commissioner is responsible for officially declaring the winner of each contested position.
Given these provisions, the Electoral Commission emphasized that the official electoral process was not followed.
“The Electoral Commissioner, who serves as the Returning Officer, neither officially closed the polls nor supervised the ballot counting or declared any candidate as the winner of any position.
“The individuals who unlawfully opened ballot boxes, counted, and declared some candidates as elected executives acted outside the established electoral process. Therefore, the Commission does not recognize any such claims.”
GRASAG EC
Following the election disturbances, the Electoral Commission has reassured the student body of its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
The Commission emphasized that concrete measures will be implemented to ensure that future elections remain free, fair, and transparent.
In light of these events, the Commission has urged all stakeholders to remain calm as efforts are made to restore confidence in the democratic process.
This incident has sparked broader concerns about electoral malpractice within student governance, raising questions about the credibility of campus elections and their implications for democratic participation in educational institutions.
Many students and observers are now calling for urgent reforms to prevent a recurrence of such irregularities in future elections.
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