The Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Bossman Asare has defended the commission’s decision to conduct re-collation processes in specific constituencies following irregularities in the collation and declaration of results.
He clarified the EC’s legal mandate under CI 127 and addressed criticisms raised by stakeholders, particularly the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dr. Asare began by explaining the necessity of re-collating results in specific constituencies, emphasizing the EC’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
“Each candidate is supposed to have two agents for the collation when it comes to the parliamentary elections. This is very important.’’
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC)
He highlighted that the EC intervened because some collation centers failed to follow proper procedures.
“For example, in one of the constituencies—Okai Kwei Central, I believe—the declaration was not done per the CI. It talks about putting together all the polling station results for each of the polling stations and doing the collation.’’
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC)
He noted that in Techiman South, the EC’s district officers followed the proper legal procedures and submitted reports confirming their adherence to CI 127.
However, in the current cases, reports indicated significant deviations from the prescribed processes.
“In Techiman, our officers did their work and followed the procedures specified in law. What we are witnessing now is completely different. As an institution, we believe in doing the right thing to protect the integrity of the process.’’
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC)
He also dismissed allegations of bias, emphasizing the EC’s impartiality. He emphasized;
“We don’t care about the outcome of the election. We don’t care who is winning here or there. What we care about is protecting the integrity of the process.’’
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC)
The NDC questioned the legal basis for the EC’s decision to empower regional directors to declare results in certain constituencies, citing CI 127, Regulation 43, which mandates returning officers to perform such duties.
Dr. Asare defended the EC’s actions, explaining that exceptional circumstances, including the incapacitation of some returning officers, justified the move.
“For example, in Damongo, there was a problem, and the commission instructed the regional director to take over. The constituency coalition centers were not conducive for the process to continue. In consultation with the Ghana Police Service, it was agreed to relocate to Tesano for security purposes.’’
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC)
He added that the regional director acted under the EC’s authorization to ensure the integrity of the process.
Allegations of Favoritism
Dr. Asare responded to accusations from the NDC that the EC’s actions were aimed at overturning declared results in favor of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He refuted these claims, reiterating the commission’s impartiality. He reaffirmed;
“The allegation is that by the processes so far, we are overturning results in favor of the NPP. That is not true. The EC is committed to doing the right thing, as specified in the law.’’
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC)
Dr. Asare also detailed measures taken to ensure the security and transparency of the re-collation process.
He emphasized that the relocation of some collation centers was done in consultation with the Ghana Police Service to guarantee the safety of officials and the integrity of the process. He indicated; “In Tesano, where results are being put together, the declarations are being done by constituency returning officers.’’
“Our focus is on ensuring that the right thing is done. The law specifies the processes, and the commission has the responsibility to ensure compliance.’’
This explanation underscores the EC’s resolve to maintain the credibility of Ghana’s electoral processes, even amidst criticism and scrutiny.
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