EC gazettes 274 Parliamentary Election results; two constituencies outstanding

EC Gazettes Parliamentary Results for 274 Constituencies, Addresses Outstanding Issues

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has officially gazetted parliamentary election results for 274 out of 276 constituencies and has submitted them to the Clerk of Parliament. However, results for the Ablekuma North and Dome Kwabenya constituencies remain outstanding due to incomplete pink sheets from several polling stations.

Re-Collation Challenges

The re-collation process for these two constituencies has been suspended. In the case of Ablekuma North, the EC awaits results from 37 polling stations, while in Dome Kwabenya, hard copies of pink sheets for three polling stations were not provided by the political parties.

At a press conference in Accra, Dr. Bossman Asare, Deputy Chair of the EC in charge of Corporate Services, assured the public that discussions are underway to finalize the re-collation before the swearing-in of Parliament on January 7, 2025.

“We are hopeful that the two outstanding constituencies will have their Members of Parliament elect very, very soon, way before the swearing-in in Parliament,” Dr. Asare stated.

Re-Collation Justifications

Dr. Asare addressed criticisms of the re-collation process, clarifying that earlier declarations in these constituencies did not follow due process as Returning Officers were allegedly under duress. He emphasized that the EC would not validate an illegality, citing precedents from the 2004 elections where re-collation was conducted in similar situations.

“Declarations that we do not re-collate are those that follow due process. The current ones are an illegality, and they cannot be upheld by the Commission,” he explained.

Progress in Other Constituencies

The EC recently completed the collation of results for seven contested constituencies, including Obuasi East, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Tema Central, Ahafo Ano North, Okaikwei Central, Ahafo Ano South, and Techiman South.

Outlook for January 2025

Ghanaians voted on December 7, 2024, to elect former President John Dramani Mahama as President and 276 Members of Parliament. The swearing-in of the President and the 9th Parliament is set for January 7, 2025.

With the resolution of issues in Ablekuma North and Dome Kwabenya constituencies expected soon, the EC aims to ensure a smooth transition into the new parliamentary term.