The Electoral Commission (EC) will hold an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting today, February 11, ahead of the Ayawaso East parliamentary by-election.
Representatives of registered political parties and officials of the Electoral Commission are expected to be present to deliberate on key administrative, logistical, and security arrangements for the upcoming election.
The Ayawaso East by-election has attracted heightened attention in recent days amid internal developments within the National Democratic Congress (NDC), including allegations of vote-buying during its parliamentary primary.
The by-election follows the death of the constituency’s Member of Parliament, Naser Toure Mahama, leaving the seat unrepresented.
Mr Baba Jamal Mohammed Ahmed won the Ayawaso East Constituency primary and is set to represent the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as its parliamentary candidate ahead of the March 3 by-election, following the party’s internal primary held on February 7, 2026.
After the close of polls, the provisional results showed that Baba Jamal pulled 431 of the total votes cast, followed by the widow (Hajia Amina Adam) of the late Ayawaso MP, Naser Toure, who also won 399 votes. Mr Mohammed Ramne, the Ayawaso East NDC Constituency Chairman, placed third with 88 votes.
Dr Yakubu Azindow obtained 45 votes, while Mr Najib Mohammed Sani recorded one vote. The closely contested primary attracted more than 1,100 accredited delegates from across the constituency, reflecting the high stakes involved in selecting a candidate for the by-election in a seat widely regarded as a stronghold of the governing NDC.
Five aspirants contested the race. They were Hajia Amina Adam, Mr Baba Jamal, Dr Yakubu Azindow, who had previously contested the late MP in the 2023 primary, Mr Mohammed Ramne and Mr Mohammed Sani.
Although the race was initially considered open, it later narrowed into a tight contest among Mr Jamal, Hajia Amina Adam and Dr Azindow.
Even though the election was peaceful on Saturday, reports of vote-buying emerged on the eve of the election and on election day, involving some candidates, including Baba Jamal, who, at the time, was Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria and allegedly offered television sets and other items to delegates.
Videos circulating on social media showed some delegates leaving polling centres carrying television sets and other items. Reacting to the vote-buying allegations, the NDC, in a statement signed by its Secretary, Fiifi Kwetey, announced that it will investigate the allegations. It noted that it has set up a three-member committee to probe the allegations.
In a statement issued on the same day, the NDC said its national executives had taken note of what it described as widespread incidents of inducement and vote buying allegedly perpetrated by some aspirants.
The party condemned the acts, describing them as an affront to its values and principles, and announced that it had launched investigations into the matter.
“In line with the Party’s commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and ethical political conduct, the Committee will investigate the allegations and make appropriate recommendations, including sanctions where necessary,” the statement said.
The Presidency has announced a recall of Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal, over voter inducement during the just-ended Ayawaso East primaries on Saturday, February 7.
In a statement titled “President recalls Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria and shared by Spokesperson to the President, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, dated February 7, it noted that “President John Dramani Mahama has directed the immediate recall of Mohammed Baba Jamal Ahmed (Baba Jamal) from his position as Ghana’s High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The decision follows allegations of voter inducement during today’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) primaries in the Ayawaso East Constituency, in which Mr Baba Jamal, a candidate, participated.”
The President stressed that reports of vote-buying were made against several candidates seeking to win the Ayawaso seats, but Baba Jamal stood out because he was the only person who was a serving public officer at the time, making his case a peculiar one.
“In his directive to the Minister for Foreign Affairs recalling Mr Baba Jamal as High Commissioner, the President noted that while allegations of vote-buying were made against multiple candidates who contested the primaries, Baba Jamal was the only serving public officer among them.”
Consequently, to protect the integrity of public office and to avoid any public suspicion of misconduct or violation of the Government’s Code of Conduct for Political Appointees, the President,
“Without prejudice to the ongoing internal party processes, and strictly in view of the standards of conduct expected of public officers, the President considers it necessary to act decisively to preserve the integrity of public office and to avoid any perception of impropriety or conflict with the Government’s Code of Conduct for Political Appointees.”
The statement continued that, “the recall takes effect immediately, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs has been directed to take the necessary administrative and diplomatic steps to give effect to this directive.”
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has confirmed that six aspirants have picked up nomination forms to contest the Ayawaso East seat ahead of the March 3 by-election.
Speaking during an appearance on Citi News Digest over the weekend, NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Rashid Tanko Computer, detailed the activities leading up to the February 7 primary.
The filing closed with the wife of the late MP being the last to pick the forms, Mr. Tanko noted.
He said, “At the close of nominations today, six persons picked nomination forms to contest the upcoming primaries. The wife of the late MP was the last person to pick nominations today. It is going to be a very interesting contest.”
Mr. Tanko also revealed, “The filing will be on January 27, which is Tuesday. We are waiting to see how many of them will bring their forms.”
The people who have picked the forms include the party’s constituency chairman, Mohammed Ramme; Hajia Amina Adam, wife of the late Member of Parliament; Ghana’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Baba Jamal; and Dr. Yakubu Azindow. The others are Najib Mohammed Sani and Salam Daru.
Why a by-election in Ayawaso East
The Ayawaso by-election comes after the demise of the Member of Parliament, Mahama Naser Toure, who passed away after a short illness on January 4, leaving the parliamentary seat vacant.
Subsequently, Parliament declared the seat vacant, prompting the Electoral Commission (EC) to set a parliamentary by-election for Tuesday, March 3, 2026, to fill the vacancy in accordance with the Constitution.
Late MP’s widow on seat contest
Explaining her decision in a statement issued on Thursday, January 22, Hajia Adam indicated that she is heeding calls from constituents, party grassroots members, and traditional elders, adding that these individuals want her to carry on the work of her late husband.
“There has been a clarion call from many quarters in my constituency and beyond for me to step into the shoes of my late husband. After deep reflection and consultations, particularly with elders and grassroots members, I have accepted the call to serve my people,” she stated.
According to her, after reflecting on the calls, she has decided to heed them, emphasising, “I want to assure them that I will not disappoint them.”
Meanwhile, individuals seeking to contest the Ayawaso East parliamentary primary in the Greater Accra Region are required to pay a filing fee of GH₵40,000.
The amount is intended to help the party cover the cost of organising the primaries, including administrative and logistical expenses. This was disclosed in a press release issued by the party on January 20, 2026.
Aspirants are also required to purchase nomination forms at a cost of GH₵5,000 and submit the completed forms to the party’s Greater Accra Regional Office. Meanwhile, female aspirants and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) will benefit from a 50 per cent reduction in the filing fee.
This will be the third time the country has had a rerun of elections after the 2024 general polls. Ablekuma North had remained the only constituency in Ghana without a sitting MP due to unresolved disagreements over the outcome of the parliamentary vote.
In a statement dated January 16, 2026, and signed by the EC’s Deputy Chairman for Operations, Samuel Tettey, the Commission explained how interested persons can contest the election.
Nominations will be accepted at the EC’s Ayawaso East Municipal Office in North Ridge from Monday, February 9, to Wednesday, February 11, 2026. Submissions will be taken between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
Aspiring candidates can download nomination forms from the EC’s website, www.ec.gov.gh/forms, starting Friday, January 16, 2026. Completed forms must be submitted in four copies and can be presented by the candidate, or by their proposer or seconder, during the nomination period.
Each candidate must be supported by a proposer and a seconder who are registered voters in Ayawaso East, along with eighteen other registered voters from the constituency. Candidates are also required to submit two recent passport-size photographs with a red background.
A filing fee must be paid as part of the process. General candidates are to pay GH¢10,000, while female candidates and persons with disabilities will pay a reduced fee of GH¢7,500. The fee is non-refundable.
The EC stated that the by-election is being held in accordance with Article 112(5) of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates an election to be conducted when a parliamentary seat becomes vacant.
The Commission has called on the public to take note of the information as it works to ensure a free, fair, and transparent by-election.
Meanwhile, controversies surrounding the Kpandai parliamentary seat have received a reaction from the Supreme Court. On Tuesday, December 16, the Supreme Court ordered that the parliamentary rerun election in the area, scheduled for Tuesday, December 30, be suspended until further notice.
The legal team of New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Matthew Nyindam, has also been directed by the Supreme Court to follow due process in serving the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal. Meanwhile, the next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
A couple of months ago, the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Kpandai constituency, Mathew Nyindam, filed an application challenging the recent High Court ruling on the 2024 parliamentary elections in the area.
Earlier this year, the former Member of Parliament and NDC parliamentary candidate for Kpandai, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, submitted a petition to the Tamale High Court challenging the results of the 2024 parliamentary election in the constituency.
According to the petitioner, the Kpandai parliamentary election was marred by irregularities in the voting and collation processes. He argued that Pink Sheets from many polling stations were not accurate or consistent.
He stated: “The parliamentary election held in the Kpandai constituency on 7th December 2024 was not conducted in compliance with Regulations 39 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (CI 127), and the principles laid down by Regulations 39, and that the said non-compliance affected the results of the elections.
“The declaration and publication of the parliamentary election results held in the Kpandai constituency on 7th December 2024 were not made in compliance with Regulations 43 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I 127), and the principles laid down by Regulations 43, and that the said non-compliance affected the entire results of the parliamentary elections in the Kpandai constituency.”
However, Mathew Nyindam has argued that, “The Parliamentary Election Petition filed by the 1st Interested Party on 25th January 2025, in respect of the Parliamentary Election held at the Kpandai Constituency on 7th December 2024, was invalid and could not have properly invoked the jurisdiction of the High Court, Commercial Division, Tamale.”
The Electoral Commission has expressed readiness to organise the parliamentary rerun in the Kpandai Constituency on December 30, unless a court orders otherwise.
The EC’s Deputy Director of Research, Alfred Tetteh, said this in an interview on JoyNews’ Pulse on Monday. He explained that the Commission is continuing with its preparations because the law requires it to do so.
Mr Tetteh noted that the EC is aware of ongoing court actions, including an appeal and a request for interpretation at the Supreme Court after a decision by the Tamale High Court.
However, he said the Commission will continue with the rerun plans until the courts give clear instructions to stop or change them.
“As a law-abiding institution, we have fixed December 30 as the date for the election. We do not know what will come out of the appeal or the Supreme Court. Until the Appeal Court or the Supreme Court rules otherwise, we are proceeding with the December 30 date.
“In terms of preparation, we are ready for December 30 unless anything otherwise comes from the Supreme Court or the Appeal Court,” he stated.
Mr Tetteh said the rerun election will involve the same political parties that contested the December 2024 election — the NPP, NDC and APC.
He assured the public that all preparations are on track. This includes plans to train polling officials, which will start about five days before the election.
He also explained that printing the ballot papers will not take long since the candidates are the same. Political parties will be informed of the dates so they can be present to observe the printing process.
“These are ballots that we have printed before, and with the same candidates, it is quite easy. We can print 66,850 ballot papers, plus an additional two per cent, within a day or two,” he explained.
He added that the movement and distribution of ballots can be completed within two days, noting that the Commission remains well within its operational timelines.
Fifty percent (50%) of constituents have declared their support for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Mathew Nyindam, ahead of the Kpandai rerun, according to a new poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics.
The poll shows that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, secured 46% of the vote against the embattled Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpandai.
Regarding performance ratings, 32% of voters described Mathew Nyindam’s performance as very good or good, while 3% rated him as excellent.
Additionally, 36% rated his performance as average, and 29% considered it poor or very poor. The poll further projected that independent candidate Donkor Eric Nipani would receive 1% of the vote, while 3% of respondents remain undecided, down from an initial 28%.
Kpandai constituency is gearing up for a rerun of the 2024 parliamentary election in the coming days. According to the Electoral Commission (EC), the exercise will take place on Tuesday, December 30.
Only the three (3) candidates who participated in the 2024 Parliamentary Election in the constituency will contest, according to a press release dated December 10 by the Deputy Director at the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the EC.
“The Electoral Commission wishes to inform the General Public that following the Tamale High Court’s ruling on Monday, 24th November, 2025, ordering a rerun of the ‘Kandai Constituency Parliamentary Election within thirty (30) days’ and upon receipt of a letter from the Clerk to Parliament on Tuesday, 9th December, 2025, formally notifying the Commission of the occurrence of a vacancy in the Membership of Parliament, the seat of the Constituency in Parliament has become vacant.
“The Electoral Commission will hold a rerun of the Parliamentary Election in the Kpandai Constituency on Tuesday, 30th December, 2025.
“The rerun of the Kandai Constituency Parliamentary Election will be conducted for only the three (3) candidates who contested the 2024 Parliamentary Election in the said Constituency,” part of the statement read.
Fifty percent (50%) of constituents have declared their support for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Mathew Nyindam, ahead of the Kpandai rerun, according to a new poll conducted by Global InfoAnalytics.
The poll shows that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, secured 46% of the vote against the embattled Member of Parliament (MP) for Kpandai.
Regarding performance ratings, 32% of voters described Mathew Nyindam’s performance as very good or good, while 3% rated him as excellent.
Additionally, 36% rated his performance as average, and 29% considered it poor or very poor. The poll further projected that independent candidate Donkor Eric Nipani would receive 1% of the vote, while 3% of respondents remain undecided, down from an initial 28%.
Kpandai constituency is gearing up for a rerun of the 2024 parliamentary election in the coming days. According to the Electoral Commission (EC), the exercise will take place on Tuesday, December 30.
Only the three (3) candidates who participated in the 2024 Parliamentary Election in the constituency will contest, according to a press release dated December 10 by the Deputy Director at the Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Department of the EC.
“The Electoral Commission wishes to inform the General Public that following the Tamale High Court’s ruling on Monday, 24th November, 2025, ordering a rerun of the ‘Kandai Constituency Parliamentary Election within thirty (30) days’ and upon receipt of a letter from the Clerk to Parliament on Tuesday, 9th December, 2025, formally notifying the Commission of the occurrence of a vacancy in the Membership of Parliament, the seat of the Constituency in Parliament has become vacant.
“The Electoral Commission will hold a rerun of the Parliamentary Election in the Kpandai Constituency on Tuesday, 30th December, 2025.
“The rerun of the Kandai Constituency Parliamentary Election will be conducted for only the three (3) candidates who contested the 2024 Parliamentary Election in the said Constituency,” part of the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has opposed the court ruling declaring the vacancy of the Kpandai constituency parliamentary seat in the Northern Region null.
The Tamale High Court declared the Kpandai parliamentary election conducted in 2024 invalid on Monday, November 24. As a result, His Lordship Emmanuel Brew Plange directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct a new poll in the constituency within 30 days.
But addressing the media on Tuesday, December 9, Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh noted, “Mr Speaker, there is a letter that was sent into the House to declare the Kpandai seat vacant. That letter is out of place, unfortunate, and goes against the rule of law. We strongly submit that the letter must be withdrawn by Parliament. We in the Minority will not agree to the writing of this letter”.
However, the candidate at the centre of the Kpandai election challenge, Matthew Nyindam, has disclosed that the 2024 parliamentary election in the area was conducted in a free and fair manner.
Despite the High Court directing a re-run of the election, Matthew Nyindam insisted that he and his team did not engage in any wrongdoing and are prepared to face the re-run.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, December 9, he noted, “I am so fine because I am not troubled. We’ve not cheated in this particular election. What I’ve realised is that there is a government that is so strong, and whatever they want to do, they will want to do it. They don’t care whether you are right or you are wrong.”
Earlier this year, the former Member of Parliament (MP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate for Kpandai, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, submitted a petition to the Tamale High Court challenging the results of the 2024 parliamentary election in the constituency.According to the petitioner, the Kpandai parliamentary election was marred by irregularities in the voting and collation processes. He argued that Pink Sheets from many polling stations were inaccurate or inconsistent.
He stated: “The parliamentary election held in the Kpandai constituency on 7th December, 2024 was not conducted in compliance with Regulation 39 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127) and the principles laid down by Regulation 39, and that the said non-compliance affected the results of the elections.
“The declaration and publication of the parliamentary election results held in the Kpandai constituency on 7th December, 2024 were not made in compliance with Regulation 43 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127) and the principles laid down by Regulation 43, and that the said non-compliance affected the entire results of the parliamentary elections in the Kpandai constituency.”
But Matthew Nyindam has argued that, “The Parliamentary Election Petition filed by the 1st Interested Party on 25th January, 2025, in respect of the Parliamentary Election held at the Kpandai Constituency on 7th December, 2024, was invalid and could not have properly invoked the jurisdiction of the High Court, Commercial Division, Tamale.”
This will be the second time the country has had a re-run of elections after the 2024 general polls. Ablekuma North remained the only constituency in Ghana without a sitting MP due to unresolved disagreements over the outcome of the parliamentary vote.
The Electoral Commission on Friday, July 11, held a re-run election in 19 polling stations in Ablekuma North to provide constituents with a representative. Ewurabena Aubynn polled 34,090 votes to beat the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Akua Afriyie, who secured 33,881 votes.
The candidate at the centre of the Kpandai election challenge, Matthew Nyindam, has disclosed that the 2024 Parliamentary election in the area was conducted under a free and fair process.
Despite the High Court directing a re-run of the election, Matthew Nyindam insisted that he and his team did not engage in any wrongdoing and are prepared to face the re-run.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, December 9, he noted, “I am so fine because I am not troubled. We’ve not cheated in this particular election. What I’ve realised is that there is a government that is so strong and whatever they want to do, they will want to do it. They don’t care whether you are right or you are wrong.”
Matthew Nyindam’s statement comes as the Parliamentary Service has formally notified the Electoral Commission (EC) of the High Court’s annulment of the Kpandai Parliamentary elections.
The Tamale High Court declared the Kpandai parliamentary election conducted in 2024 invalid on Monday, November 24. As a result, His Lordship Emmanuel Brew Plange has directed the Electoral Commission (EC) to perform a new poll in the constituency within 30 days.
Earlier this year, the former Member of Parliament (MP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for Kpandai, Daniel Nsala Wakpal, submitted a petition to the Tamale High Court challenging the results of the 2024 parliamentary election in the constituency.
According to the petitioner, the Kpandai parliamentary election was marred by irregularities in the voting and collation processes. He argued that Pink Sheets from many polling stations were not accurate or consistent.
He stated: “The parliamentary election held in the Kpandai constituency on 7th December 2024 was not conducted in compliance with Regulations 39 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (CI 127) and the principles laid down by Regulations 39, and that the said non-compliance affected the results of the elections.
“The declaration and publication of the parliamentary election results held in the Kpandai constituency on 7th December 2024 were not made in compliance with Regulations 43 of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I 127) and the principles laid down by Regulations 43, and that the said non-compliance affected the entire results of the parliamentary elections in the Kpandai constituency.”
But Matthew Nyindam has argued that, “The Parliamentary Election Petition filed by the 1st Interested Party on 25th January 2025, in respect of the Parliamentary Election held at the Kpandai Constituency on 7th December 2024, was invalid and could not have properly invoked the jurisdiction of the High Court, Commercial Division, Tamale.”
This will be the second time the country has had a re-run of elections after the 2024 general polls. Ablekuma North had remained the only constituency in Ghana without a sitting MP due to unresolved disagreements over the outcome of the parliamentary vote.
In view of this, the Electoral Commission on Friday, July 11, held a re-run election in 19 polling stations in Ablekuma North to provide constituents with a representative. Ewurabena Aubynn polled 34,090 votes to beat the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Akua Afriyie, who secured 33,881 votes.
On December 10, 2024, three days after the national polls, the EC declared Ewurabena Aubynn of the NDC the winner of the Ablekuma North parliamentary seat, defeating the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Nana Akua Owusu Afriyieh. However, the EC later revoked the announcement, revealing that results from 62 of the 281 polling stations had not been included in the initial collation.
Efforts to restart the collation in January 2025 were disrupted by multiple challenges. These included interruptions due to the submission of unverified Pink Sheets and a violent intrusion at the collation centre that heightened security concerns.
After extensive deliberations, the Electoral Commission in July announced that it would hold a re-run election because the 19 scanned polling station results used for the collation, though approved by agents of both political parties, were not verified by the presiding officers responsible for those polling stations. The EC arrived at this decision after meeting with representatives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Tuesday, July 1.
Violence mars Ablekuma North re-run election
At the Odorkor Methodist 1 polling station in the Ablekuma North constituency, some individuals engaged in a fisticuff with police personnel. Also, a JoyNews journalist was slapped by an unknown individual.
Former Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development and Member of Parliament for Ewutu Senya East Constituency, Hawa Koomson, was also assaulted by a group of men. A journalist with GH One Television, Banahene Agyekum, was also slapped by a police officer.
The Ghana Police Service has interdicted one of its officers who was caught on camera slapping a journalist with GH One Television, Banahene Agyekum, during the re-run election at Ablekuma North. In line with internal disciplinary procedures, he has been referred to the Police Professional Standards Bureau (PPSB) for investigation. The officer concerned has been withdrawn from the ongoing election duty at Ablekuma North.
The police have assured the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the matter and further updates will be communicated. It is unknown what exactly transpired between the reporter and a group of police officers that led to him being slapped. The police officer’s action has been condemned by all, including the mayor of Accra, Michael Kpakpo Allotey, who witnessed the unfortunate incident.
Deputy Minister for Government Communications, Shamima Muslim, in reaction to the incident, commended the police for its swift action to reprimand its officer for such unlawful acts and condemned the recent attacks against civilians and journalists during the Ablekuma North election re-run. She said: “What we are happy about is the swift action that the Ghana Police itself has taken in interdicting the officer in question. It is completely unwarranted. Government itself takes a very serious stance, especially on security agencies meting out unwarranted attacks to civilians under any circumstances.”
President of the Ghana Journalist Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, also condemned the attack on journalists. Due to the chaos that erupted, Inspector General of Police Christian Tetteh Yohuno visited some polling stations in the constituency.
The Minority in Parliament has also condemned the violence that took place during the just-ended Ablekuma North re-run election, accusing members of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) of instigating violent activities.
In a statement signed by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the caucus said: “The most disturbing aspect of today’s violence is not just the brutality itself, but the deliberate endorsement and celebration of these attacks by senior government officials. For example, Dr. Hanna Louisa Bissiw, National Women’s Organiser of the NDC and CEO of the Minerals Development Fund, provided perhaps the most damaging response with her statement that ‘violence begets violence’ and her suggestion that the brutal attacks were somehow justified.
“Even more shocking is the Facebook post by Malik Basintale, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Deputy National Communications Officer of the NDC, who apparently celebrated the man who attacked Hon. Mavis Hawa Koomson with the disturbing declaration, ‘From today, I name him the Flying Python. He shall be in charge of the 5k Airforce!’ This grotesque celebration of violence against a former Member of Parliament represents a new low in Ghana’s political discourse,” the statement added.
The Minority has registered its displeasure with the operation of the Ghana Police Service at the polling stations. “The Ghana Police Service’s response raises serious questions about their preparedness and commitment to protecting our electoral process. Security personnel were overwhelmed by the perpetrators, failing to prevent these attacks on political figures, party agents, and journalists. More concerning are allegations surrounding Chief Superintendent Lumor Frederick Senanu and his potential role in facilitating these disruptions.”
The caucus stressed the need for increased protection for voters, electoral officers, journalists, and candidates. It also called on the international community, civil society, and media to monitor developments closely.
President John Dramani Mahama has formally received a petition seeking the removal of the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Jean Mensa, and her two deputies, Dr. Bossman Eric Asare and Samuel Tettey, over allegations of misconduct.
Among the 12 counts of stated misbehaviour are allegations of cronyism, abuse of office, and gross incompetence.
The petition, submitted by a staff member of the Electoral Commission, Joseph Blankson Adumadzie, emphasised that the credibility of Ghana’s electoral system is at stake due to the alleged illegal actions of the officials.
According to a statement issued on Monday, November 24, by the petitioner, Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution provides the basis for requesting the removal of public officials, particularly those serving in independent constitutional bodies.
The former Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, faced a similar challenge and was later replaced by President Mahama after an investigative committee found the allegations levelled against her to be valid.
The Chief Justice was earlier suspended by President Mahama on Tuesday, April 22, after a prima facie case was established, following separate petitions calling for her removal.
A series of petitions were filed against Chief Justice Torkornoo, beginning with one from a group known as Shining Stars of Ghana. The group alleged she violated Article 144 of the Constitution by personally recommending judges for promotion to the Supreme Court and further claimed she ruled on a case involving the Speaker of Parliament without granting him a hearing, despite his refusal to respond to the suit.
Another petition, filed by a police officer who is also a lawyer, accused the Chief Justice of manipulating evidence and abusing her authority, following an incident during a Supreme Court session where he was reportedly reprimanded, arrested, and detained.
However, court records suggest the lawyer’s conduct during proceedings prompted a unanimous caution from the bench, not just the Chief Justice.
The third petition, submitted by a private individual, listed 21 alleged misconducts and four claims of incompetence. Among the accusations was the misuse of public funds—specifically, that she spent over GH¢261,000 and $30,000 on a family trip abroad in 2023 and misused an additional GH¢75,580 and $14,000 during another foreign assignment without proper accountability.
Subsequent reports indicate two more petitions were added, intensifying pressure on the judiciary. Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, in her written response to President Mahama, strongly denied allegations of misconduct and abuse of office brought against her by a senior police officer, describing them as baseless and lacking grounds for her removal from office.
Meanwhile, President John Dramani Mahama has sworn in Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s Chief Justice. The swearing-in ceremony occurred on Monday, November 18, at the presidency.
His swearing-in comes after Parliament, following several deliberations, approved his nomination. The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, confirmed his approval on Thursday, November 11, during the 15th Sitting of the 3rd meeting.
“This Honorable house has accordingly approved the nomination of Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie as Chief Justice of the Republic, in accordance with Article 114 clause 1 of the 1992 Constitution respectively.
“I will want to take this opportunity to, on behalf of the House congratulate the nominee on his approval by Parliament. I urge the nominee to take all that has happened right up from the day of the nomination up to his prior approval by Parliament into consideration in his tenure of office. Once again congratulations,” he added.
Parliament concluded his nomination after a headcount, where the Majority in Parliament counted 163 and the Minority 69.
On Monday, November 10, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie appeared before the Appointments Committee of Parliament for his vetting.
In October, President John Dramani Mahama submitted Justice Baffoe-Bonnie’s name to the Council of State for consideration in accordance with Article 144(1) of the Constitution, which requires the President to act in consultation with the Council of State and with Parliament’s approval when appointing a Chief Justice.
Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, the most senior member of the Supreme Court, was appointed to the apex court in June 2008 by then-President John Agyekum Kufuor. He studied law at the University of Ghana and was called to the Bar in 1983. His judicial career spans roles as a Circuit Court Judge in Kumasi, a High Court Judge at Duayaw Nkwanta, and a Court of Appeal Judge before his elevation to the Supreme Court.
Born on December 26, 1956, in Goaso, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie had his secondary education at Konongo Odumase Secondary School before pursuing law at the University of Ghana and the Ghana Law School.
However, speaking on the floor of Parliament on Friday, November 7, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said it would be inappropriate to proceed with the vetting of Acting Chief Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie while the former Chief Justice awaits a court verdict on her pending lawsuit.
In October, Gertrude Torkornoo initiated legal action to prevent the vetting and appointment of Justice Baffoe-Bonnie as Ghana’s next Chief Justice. She is seeking the nullification of all activities carried out by the Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang Committee, which was set up under Article 146 to review petitions seeking her removal from office.
She wanted the court to overturn all proceedings undertaken by the said Committee and to declare the Presidential Warrant authorizing her dismissal as unlawful and without legal effect. The legal move came as Parliament’s Appointments Committee prepared to vet Justice Baffoe-Bonnie for the top judicial position.
Afenyo-Markin emphasized that commencing the vetting of the appointed CJ would breach judicial propriety. According to him, given the ongoing disputes surrounding the revocation of the former Chief Justice from office, proceeding with the vetting process could undermine Articles 125 and 127 of the Constitution.
“Proceeding to vet a new person to fill that office will be rendering the application of justice. We are not into blows; we are here to argue law and for you to determine. This kind of attack, ‘it will happen, it will happen,’ is inappropriate. They should take it easy,” Afenyo-Markin said.
Article 125 gives judicial power only to the courts and not to Parliament or the Executive. Article 127, on the other hand, requires all other state institutions not to interfere with the Judiciary’s work but to protect its independence.
Nominations have been reopened in Electoral Areas and Units where no nominations were filed for the upcoming District Level Elections. The extension spans from Monday, November 3, to Thursday, November 13. This information was contained in a press statement issued by the Electoral Commission(EC).
According to the statement signed by Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman, Operations, the EC directed applicants to visit the Commission’s website for Nomination Forms or pick them up at their District Offices at no cost.
“Personally or by the Proposer or Seconder to the Returning Officer of the Electoral Area / Unit for which the Candidate seeks election, from Monday, November 10 to Thursday, November 13, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 am and 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm,” parts of the statement read.
By-elections in selected Electoral Areas and Unit Committees nationwide will be conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC) on Tuesday, November 11. The elections will take place in over 1,500 polling stations across multiple regions, including Greater Accra, Ashanti, Volta, Central, Eastern, Bono, Ahafo, Western, Western North, and others.
This information was contained in a separate press statement signed by the Chairperson, Jean Mensa.
According to the Commission, the nomination process will commence on Monday, October 6, and end on Thursday, October 16. Submission times are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Individuals who wish to contest must submit completed nomination forms in quadruplicate, accompanied by two recent passport-sized photographs with a red background.
“In accordance with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) with Amendment (Act 940), the Electoral Commission will on Tuesday, 11th November, 2025, conduct By-Elections for vacant Electoral Areas and Units arising as a result of the deaths or resignations of a number of Assembly and Unit Committee Members.
“Nomination Forms may be obtained free of charge at the District Offices of the Electoral Commission or downloaded from the Electoral Commission’s website (www.ec.gov.gh/forms from Monday, 6th October to Thursday, 16th October, 2025,” parts of the statement read.
It added that qualified individuals will be those whose nominations have been endorsed by a certain number of residents. The upcoming elections are in line with the Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936), as amended by Act 940, to fill vacancies created by the resignation or death of Assembly Members and Unit Committee Members.
“Completed Nomination Forms must be delivered in quadruplicate by the Candidate personally or by the Proposer or Seconder, together with two (2) copies of a recent bust-sized photograph against a RED background, to the Returning Officer of the Electoral Area for which the Candidate seeks election from Monday, 13th October to Thursday, 16th October, 2025, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on each day,” it added.
Some of the notable districts and communities where elections will take place include Ablekuma Central, Weija-Gbawe, La-Nkwantanang, Adenta, Cape Coast, Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem, Mfantseman, Jomoro, Ellembelle, Nzema East, and Sekondi-Takoradi.
The others are Asuogyaman, Yilo Krobo, Suhum, New Juaben, Adansi South, Obuasi Municipal, Bosomtwe, Offinso North, Keta, Ketu South, Ho, and Afadjato South.
Find the list of all vacant Electoral Areas and Units with the corresponding number of polling stations below:
Ghana recently witnessed a by-election this year on Tuesday, September 2. The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Bernard Bediako Baidoo was declared Member of Parliament (MP)-elect for the Akwatia Constituency.
He polled 18,199 votes to beat the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Solomon Kwame Asumadu, who secured 15,235 votes. According to the Returning Officer of the Electoral Commission (EC), the total votes cast were 33,819, with 33,516 valid votes and 303 ballots rejected.
The EC, on Tuesday, September 2, held a by-election in 119 polling stations within the Akwatia Constituency to provide constituents with a representative following the sudden passing of their former MP, Ernest Yaw Kumi. Ernest Kumi was confirmed dead on Monday, July 7, 2025. At the time of his passing, he had served the constituency for only six months.
On Tuesday, September 2, more than 50,000 registered constituents in Akwatia cast their ballots to select an MP to represent the constituency in Parliament.
The NDC elected legal practitioner Bernard Bediako Baidoo to contest the election. At the same time, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) selected the Chief Executive of Owuo Mining Company, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, as its parliamentary candidate for the by-election.
However, David Ankomah, who sought to contest on the ticket of the Action People’s Party (APP), was disqualified by the Electoral Commission (EC) for failing to submit his tax clearance certificate. As a result, the disqualified candidate filed a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission. He has challenged the EC at the High Court for excluding him for failing to submit his tax clearance certificate.
Ankomah argued that the Commission gave him too short a notice to produce the certificate through the Akwatia District Electoral Officer, which caused the delay in providing the required document.
Additionally, he maintains that he completed all the necessary processes needed to participate in the race. He further prayed the Court to suspend the by-election until the case is determined.
Meanwhile, over 5,500 police personnel were deployed to Akwatia to ensure law and order during the by-election. The police grouped the constituency into nine security zones to ensure effective coverage. About 600 officers were fully armed to swiftly respond to any disturbances that might occur during the exercise.
Prior to the election, the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party allegedly refrained from signing a peace pact. This followed claims by the NPP that the NDC’s representatives presented constituency executives instead of national-level executives to sign the agreement.
NPP National Organizer Henry Nana Boakye told reporters that the NDC had shown reluctance to commit to the peace declaration, accusing the party of deliberately stalling the process.
Speaking to the media after the failed engagement, a Board Member of the Peace Council, Sheikh Armeyaw Shaibu, said, “In the spirit of mutual dialogue and mutual respect, the two parties agreed that we should suspend the meeting.”
The by-election did not witness much chaos, unlike the Ablekuma North rerun election. In the coming days, constituents of Tamale Central will vote to elect a representative to Parliament.
A senior lecturer at the University of Ghan’s ,Political Science Department, Professor Alidu Seidu Mahama has won in the Tamale Central parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
His victory was officially announced by Electoral Commission officials at the Alhaji Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium on September 6.
According to the results, he secured 840 votes out of 1,511 valid ballots cast, beating 11 other contenders in what was a hotly contested race.
His closest challenger, former Tamale Metropolitan Assembly Mayor Abdul Hanan Gundadoo, polled 536 votes, while the remaining candidates shared the rest of the ballots.
A total of 1,511 delegates out of 1,551 registered cast their votes one ballot was rejected in an election where Prof. Alidu Seidu Mahama secured a commanding lead with 840 votes, followed by Abdul Hanan Gundadoo with 536; the remaining candidates received the following: Dr. Seidu Fiter Mohammed (44), Ing. Aliu Abdul Hamid (23), Alhassan Mbalba (10), Dr. Abdul Rahaman Rashid (9), Sadat Haruna (9), Alhassan Osman Gomda aka Naa Simani (7), Shamima Yakubu (5), Mariama Naana Salifu (5), Prof. Abdul Razak Abubakari (4), and Muleika Salisu (3).
Following his declaration as winner, he expressed his gratitude to the delegates for their support and trust in his leadership.
“I am deeply grateful to the party, the delegates, and my fellow aspirants for the clean and competitive campaign we all ran. This victory is not mine alone—it belongs to every member of this great party who believes in unity, progress, and service,” the UG Professor said.
The Tamale Central by-election will be conducted on Tuesday, September 30, to find a replacement for one of the fallen heroes of the August 6 Adansi helicopter crash that claimed the lives of eight, including the former Member of Parliament for the constituency who also doubled as Minister for Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed.
On August 29, National Democratic Congress (NDC) cleared 12 out of 16 aspirants who picked up nomination forms to contest the Tamale Central parliamentary primary after the completion of the vetting process.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) opened nominations on August 21, for aspirants seeking to contest the Tamale Central Constituency primary.
Nomination forms were made available at the Northern Regional Office of the party from Friday, August 22, to Sunday, August 24, 2025, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. each day.
Prospective aspirants were expected to pay a non-refundable nomination fee of GH¢5,000 and a filing fee of GH¢40,000 to be paid in cash only into the party’s official account at UMB Bank, Adabraka Branch. No cheques or bankers’ drafts will be accepted, the party announced.
There is a slash for …”female aspirants and persons with disabilities are entitled to a 50 per cent reduction on the filing fee. A certified copy of the delegates’ list will be made available to all aspirants after the vetting process.”
A certified copy of the delegates’ list was to be made available to all aspirants after the vetting process.
The party urged all prospective aspirants and stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with these directives and to conduct their campaigns and related activities with decorum, unity, and fairness.”
Individuals interested were entreated to pick up nomination forms via the website www.ec.gov.gh. They have from now until September 10 to do so. Filing fee for applicants is GHC10,000. For female candidates and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the nomination form is going for GHC7,500.
These forms were to be submitted to the EC’s Tamale Metropolitan Office from September 8 to 10, from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm daily.
The criteria for applicants include providing a nomination form proposed and seconded by two registered voters in the constituency and assented to by eighteen others. Nomination forms must be delivered personally by candidates or have them delivered by a proposer or seconder. The forms must be submitted in four copies. Candidates are to provide two recent bust-sized photographs against a red background.
On Monday, August 11, the New Patriotic Party declared its intention not to participate in a by-election in the area. According to a statement signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the decision was taken by the Party at a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Party Headquarters pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of the Party Constitution.
According to the statement, this will be the party’s better way of honoring Dr. Murtala Mohammed and the other crash victims.
“In arriving at the decision, the Party considered many factors, including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat has become vacant and the possibility of a further polarization of the country at this critical time.
The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to competitive processes in search of a replacement for the departed MP. The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided.
It is the considered view of the Party that the greatest tribute that the NPP and the rest of the nation can pay in honour of the departed, is not only to win the fight against Galamsey but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful replacement for the good people of Tamale Central.
Consequently, the NPP hereby announces that when the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election in line with Article 112 (5) of Ghana’s Constitution, the Party will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest,” a part of the statement read.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, urged members of the National Democratic Congress to exercise restraint from discussing and announcing their intentions to contest the Tamale Central seat.
He shared the words of caution while lauding the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision not to contest in the Tamale Central by-election.
“I beg our party members not to rush into contesting the Tamale Central constituency. Let’s stay calm and not disrupt the funeral rites of our fallen heroes. The party will meet after the funeral and set timelines to get a replacement for the late Murtala Mohammed,” he said.
Speaking at the final funeral rites of the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed at his family house in Tamale on Tuesday, August 12, Asiedu Nketia described the NPP’s move as one that demonstrates political maturity.
“We thank our brothers in the NPP for declaring that they won’t contest us in Tamale Central,” he said.
Preparations toward Akwatia by-election
The Electoral Commission (EC) announced that the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming Akwatia parliamentary by-election will begin on Wednesday, August 20.
This was disclosed at a meeting convened by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with political representatives to discuss security measures and strategies to curb electoral violence. The Commission’s Director of Electoral Services, Benjamin Bano-Bioh, told the media that, “as of now (August 19), we are going to start the printing of ballots from tomorrow (which is today).”
“Procurement has already been done. We have procured all the materials required for the election, so we are already,” he stated. Benjamin Bano-Bioh further explained that his outfit is “poised to deliver on our mandate in a professional way. We call on political parties to play by the rules,” he added.
The Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, also briefed political parties, outlining critical security arrangements for the election.
Following the death of the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, the by-election has been scheduled to elect his successor. The Electoral Commission (EC) is expected to hold the by-election in the Akwatia Constituency of the Eastern Region on Tuesday, September 2.
The election became necessary after the death of the constituency’s representative, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who was reported dead on Monday, July 7. On Monday, August 4, the Electoral Commission will conduct balloting to ensure fairness in the order in which candidates appear on the ballot paper.
The two major political parties are preparing vigorously for the contest. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has elected legal practitioner Bernard Bediako Baidoo as its candidate for the upcoming by-election in Akwatia, Eastern Region, scheduled for Tuesday, September 2.
This follows an internal election conducted by the party on Monday, August 4, to select a representative for the by-election. The competition was between former Member of Parliament Henry Boakye, the current NDC Akwatia Constituency Secretary Bernard Bediako Baidoo, and Erasmus Koney Ali.
Bernard Bediako Baidoo polled 380 votes, Erasmus Ali Korney secured 366 votes, and Yiadom garnered 232 votes. On the other hand, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has selected the Chief Executive of Owuo Mining Company, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, as its parliamentary candidate for the upcoming by-election.
According to the Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Jeff Konadu Addo, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders.
He explained, “The National Council of the party set up a committee and we were tasked to find out who could be our candidate or whether we will do primaries or not.
“So, the team went to Akwatia in the constituency, had a lot of engagement with the grassroots, electoral area coordinators, polling station officers, chiefs, opinion leaders, and the majority of the people said that for primaries, we should take it out. We shouldn’t conduct primaries in Akwatia. And that’s exactly what we followed.”
Earlier, reports suggested that the widow of the late Member of Parliament, Mrs. Mavis Kumi, had expressed interest in contesting the seat. However, the Eastern Regional NPP Chairman, Jeff Konadu Addo, on Tuesday, July 15, dismissed such reports, emphasizing that campaign flyers making such claims were false.
“We wish to categorically state that this information is false, misleading, and should be treated with the utmost contempt it deserves,” Jeff Konadu Addo said.
He further clarified that Mrs. Mavis Kumi had no interest in contesting the position but was focused on mourning her husband.
“She has unequivocally communicated that she has no interest in contesting the seat or participating in active politics at this time. Her current focus is to mourn her husband with dignity and in peace,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has urged security personnel who will be deployed to oversee the by-election in the Akwatia constituency to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties.
He reminded them to reflect on the recent violence that occurred during the parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency and to work proactively to prevent a recurrence.
According to him, the government will ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future elections. The minister made these remarks at the government’s accountability series in Accra on Monday, July 14.
“This is also a wake-up call for our security agencies to know that probably what happened [in Ablekuma North]…gives our security agencies the opportunity to even plan better towards Akwatia.
“All I can assure the people of Akwatia is that we will use Ablekuma North as a case study to review how we operate in Akwatia, to make sure that the citizens are free to cast their votes and express their will without fear or favour,” Muntaka added.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has opened the filing of nomination forms for the Tamale Central by-election to be conducted on September 30.
Interested applicants have from now until September 10 to do so.They are to pick up nomination forms via the website www.ec.gov.gh. Filing fee for applicants is GHC10,000. For female candidates and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the nomination form is going for GHC7,500.
These forms are to be submitted to the EC’s Tamale Metropolitan Office from September 8 to 10, from 9am to 12pm and 2pm to 5pm daily.
The criteria for applicants include providing a nomination form proposed and seconded by two registered voters in the constituency and assented to by eighteen others. Nomination forms must be delivered personally by candidates or have them delivered by a proposer or seconder. The forms must be submitted in four copies. Candidates are to provide two recent bust-sized photographs against a red background.
The pending election follows the death of its legislator, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. He was among the eight individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident on August 6. He was laid to rest on August 10.
On Monday, August 11, the New Patriotic Party declared its intention not to participate in a by-election in the area. According to a statement signed by NPP General Secretary Justin Kodua Frimpong, the decision was taken by the Party at a National Steering Committee meeting held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Party Headquarters pursuant to Article 10(10)(1) of the Party Constitution.
According to the statement, this will be the party’s better way of honoring Dr. Murtala Mohammed and the other crash victims.
“In arriving at the decision, the Party considered many factors, including the circumstances under which the Tamale Central seat has become vacant and the possibility of a further polarization of the country at this critical time.
The NPP is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive processes in search of a replacement for the departed MP. The Party believes that the tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided.
It is the considered view of the Party that the greatest tribute that the NPP and the rest of the nation can pay in honour of the departed, is not only to win the fight against Galamsey but also to ensure a smooth and peaceful replacement for the good people of Tamale Central.
Consequently, the NPP hereby announces that when the Electoral Commission of Ghana opens nominations for the Tamale Central by-election in line with Article 112 (5) of Ghana’s Constitution, the Party will, in accord with the national interest, not take part in the contest,” a part of the statement read.
Earlier, Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, urged members of the National Democratic Congress to exercise restraint from discussing and announcing their intentions to contest the Tamale Central seat.
He shared the words of caution while lauding the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) decision not to contest in the Tamale Central by-election.
“I beg our party members not to rush into contesting the Tamale Central constituency. Let’s stay calm and not disrupt the funeral rites of our fallen heroes. The party will meet after the funeral and set timelines to get a replacement for the late Murtala Mohammed,” he said.
Speaking at the final funeral rites of the late Dr. Murtala Mohammed at his family house in Tamale on Tuesday, August 12, Asiedu Nketia described the NPP’s move as one that demonstrates political maturity.
“We thank our brothers in the NPP for declaring that they won’t contest us in Tamale Central,” he said.
Preparations toward Akwatia by-election
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming Akwatia parliamentary by-election will begin today, Wednesday, August 20.
This was disclosed at a meeting convened by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with political representatives to discuss security measures and strategies to curb electoral violence. The Commission’s Director of Electoral Services, Benjamin Bano-Bioh, told the media that, “as of now (August 19), we are going to start the printing of ballots from tomorrow (which is today).”
“Procurement has already been done. We have procured all the materials required for the election, so we are already,” he stated. Benjamin Bano-Bioh further explained that his outfit is “poised to deliver on our mandate in a professional way. We call on political parties to play by the rules,” he added.
The Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, also briefed political parties, outlining critical security arrangements for the election.
Following the death of the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, the by-election has been scheduled to elect his successor. The Electoral Commission (EC) is expected to hold the by-election in the Akwatia Constituency of the Eastern Region on Tuesday, September 2.
The election became necessary after the death of the constituency’s representative, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who was reported dead on Monday, July 7. On Monday, August 4, the Electoral Commission will conduct balloting to ensure fairness in the order in which candidates appear on the ballot paper.
The two major political parties are preparing vigorously for the contest. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has elected legal practitioner Bernard Bediako Baidoo as its candidate for the upcoming by-election in Akwatia, Eastern Region, scheduled for Tuesday, September 2.
This follows an internal election conducted by the party on Monday, August 4, to select a representative for the by-election. The competition was between former Member of Parliament Henry Boakye, the current NDC Akwatia Constituency Secretary Bernard Bediako Baidoo, and Erasmus Koney Ali.
Bernard Bediako Baidoo polled 380 votes, Erasmus Ali Korney secured 366 votes, and Yiadom garnered 232 votes. On the other hand, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has selected the Chief Executive of Owuo Mining Company, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, as its parliamentary candidate for the upcoming by-election.
According to the Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Jeff Konadu Addo, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders.
He explained, “The National Council of the party set up a committee and we were tasked to find out who could be our candidate or whether we will do primaries or not.
“So, the team went to Akwatia in the constituency, had a lot of engagement with the grassroots, electoral area coordinators, polling station officers, chiefs, opinion leaders, and the majority of the people said that for primaries, we should take it out. We shouldn’t conduct primaries in Akwatia. And that’s exactly what we followed.”
Earlier, reports suggested that the widow of the late Member of Parliament, Mrs. Mavis Kumi, had expressed interest in contesting the seat. However, the Eastern Regional NPP Chairman, Jeff Konadu Addo, on Tuesday, July 15, dismissed such reports, emphasizing that campaign flyers making such claims were false.
“We wish to categorically state that this information is false, misleading, and should be treated with the utmost contempt it deserves,” Jeff Konadu Addo said.
He further clarified that Mrs. Mavis Kumi had no interest in contesting the position but was focused on mourning her husband.
“She has unequivocally communicated that she has no interest in contesting the seat or participating in active politics at this time. Her current focus is to mourn her husband with dignity and in peace,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has urged security personnel who will be deployed to oversee the by-election in the Akwatia constituency to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties.
He reminded them to reflect on the recent violence that occurred during the parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency and to work proactively to prevent a recurrence.
According to him, the government will ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future elections. The minister made these remarks at the government’s accountability series in Accra on Monday, July 14.
“This is also a wake-up call for our security agencies to know that probably what happened [in Ablekuma North]…gives our security agencies the opportunity to even plan better towards Akwatia.
“All I can assure the people of Akwatia is that we will use Ablekuma North as a case study to review how we operate in Akwatia—to make sure that the citizens are free to cast their votes and express their will without fear or favour,” Muntaka added.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that the printing of ballot papers for the upcoming Akwatia parliamentary by-election will begin today, Wednesday, August 20.
This was disclosed at a meeting convened by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with political representatives to discuss security measures and strategies to curb electoral violence. The Commission’s Director of Electoral Services, Benjamin Bano-Bioh, told the media that, “as of now (August 19), we are going to start the printing of ballots from tomorrow (which is today).”
“Procurement has already been done. We have procured all the materials required for the election, so we are already,” he stated. Benjamin Bano-Bioh further explained that his outfit is “poised to deliver on our mandate in a professional way. We call on political parties to play by the rules,” he added.
The Inspector-General of Police, Christian Tetteh Yohuno, also briefed political parties, outlining critical security arrangements for the election.
Following the death of the Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Ernest Yaw Kumi, the by-election has been scheduled to elect his successor. The Electoral Commission (EC) is expected to hold the by-election in the Akwatia Constituency of the Eastern Region on Tuesday, September 2.
The election became necessary after the death of the constituency’s representative, Ernest Yaw Kumi, who was reported dead on Monday, July 7. On Monday, August 4, the Electoral Commission will conduct balloting to ensure fairness in the order in which candidates appear on the ballot paper.
The two major political parties are preparing vigorously for the contest. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has elected legal practitioner Bernard Bediako Baidoo as its candidate for the upcoming by-election in Akwatia, Eastern Region, scheduled for Tuesday, September 2.
This follows an internal election conducted by the party on Monday, August 4, to select a representative for the by-election. The competition was between former Member of Parliament Henry Boakye, the current NDC Akwatia Constituency Secretary Bernard Bediako Baidoo, and Erasmus Koney Ali.
Bernard Bediako Baidoo polled 380 votes, Erasmus Ali Korney secured 366 votes, and Yiadom garnered 232 votes. On the other hand, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has selected the Chief Executive of Owuo Mining Company, Solomon Kwame Asumadu, as its parliamentary candidate for the upcoming by-election.
According to the Eastern Regional Chairman of the NPP, Jeff Konadu Addo, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders.
He explained, “The National Council of the party set up a committee and we were tasked to find out who could be our candidate or whether we will do primaries or not.
“So, the team went to Akwatia in the constituency, had a lot of engagement with the grassroots, electoral area coordinators, polling station officers, chiefs, opinion leaders, and the majority of the people said that for primaries, we should take it out. We shouldn’t conduct primaries in Akwatia. And that’s exactly what we followed.”
Earlier, reports suggested that the widow of the late Member of Parliament, Mrs. Mavis Kumi, had expressed interest in contesting the seat. However, the Eastern Regional NPP Chairman, Jeff Konadu Addo, on Tuesday, July 15, dismissed such reports, emphasizing that campaign flyers making such claims were false.
“We wish to categorically state that this information is false, misleading, and should be treated with the utmost contempt it deserves,” Jeff Konadu Addo said.
He further clarified that Mrs. Mavis Kumi had no interest in contesting the position but was focused on mourning her husband.
“She has unequivocally communicated that she has no interest in contesting the seat or participating in active politics at this time. Her current focus is to mourn her husband with dignity and in peace,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Minister for the Interior, Mubarak Muntaka, has urged security personnel who will be deployed to oversee the by-election in the Akwatia constituency to remain vigilant while carrying out their duties.
He reminded them to reflect on the recent violence that occurred during the parliamentary election rerun in the Ablekuma North constituency and to work proactively to prevent a recurrence.
According to him, the government will ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future elections. The minister made these remarks at the government’s accountability series in Accra on Monday, July 14.
“This is also a wake-up call for our security agencies to know that probably what happened [in Ablekuma North]…gives our security agencies the opportunity to even plan better towards Akwatia.
“All I can assure the people of Akwatia is that we will use Ablekuma North as a case study to review how we operate in Akwatia—to make sure that the citizens are free to cast their votes and express their will without fear or favour,” Muntaka added.
In a related development, the country will soon prepare for another by-election in the Tamale Central constituency following the death of its legislator, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. He was among the eight individuals who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter accident on August 10. He was laid to rest on the same day.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has, however, declared its intention not to participate in the by-election expected to be conducted in the Tamale Central constituency on September 30.
According to a statement signed by the NPP General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, the decision follows extensive consultations with stakeholders. He explained that the decision is a gesture of respect for the late MP and the other victims of the helicopter crash.
“The New Patriotic Party is of the belief that it would be inhumane and unconscionable to subject the nation to a competitive process in search of a replacement for the departed Member of Parliament. The tension and acrimony often associated with the conduct of by-elections in the country should be avoided,” parts of the statement read.
Preliminary results from the Ablekuma North parliamentary rerun have begun to emerge.
It is setting the stage for a potentially tense conclusion to the closely monitored contest.
Although the Electoral Commission aimed to engage over 6,000 eligible voters to finalize the constituency’s much-delayed electoral process, the exercise was marred by incidents of violence at some polling centres.
Contract workers hired by the Electoral Commission (EC) in the Greater Accra Region for the 2024 general elections are still waiting to be paid months after completing their duties.
According to the workers, they were promised GHC600 for their roles in the electoral process but have yet to receive their money despite several follow-ups.
One affected worker, speaking to Citi News on March 7 under anonymity, expressed frustration over the delay.
“I texted some of the officials, but there was no reply. They said the payment would come, but it didn’t. Others also followed up, yet nothing happened. If the EC knows we have not been paid, then it’s really bad because you cannot hire someone, let them work for you, and then not pay them while you sit comfortably.”
The worker further urged the EC to settle the outstanding payments promptly.
“For any job, when you employ someone, you need to pay them immediately after the work is done. I’m just appealing to the EC to resolve this issue as soon as possible so that no one has to keep complaining because a lot of people are affected.”
Those affected include presiding officers, verification officers, name list reference officers, and ballot issuers. They have expressed disappointment over the EC’s silence on the matter and are calling on the authorities to address their concerns urgently.
The former Foreign Affairs Minister of Ghana, Hannah Tetteh, has called on President-elect John Dramani Mahama to include a major reform of the Electoral Commission (EC) as part of his planned governance reset.
Speaking to the press on December 24, Tetteh, who once represented the Awutu Senya West constituency, expressed deep concerns about the EC’s operations and stressed the urgent need for reforms to restore public confidence in the commission.
Her comments come amid ongoing debates about the EC’s role in ensuring fair and credible elections, with many stakeholders advocating for changes to make the institution more independent and accountable.
Tetteh urged the incoming government to prioritize these reforms as part of its broader agenda for addressing the country’s governance challenges.
“The way in which they have engaged has not exactly allowed people to have confidence in their objectivity and neutrality, and I think that one of the lessons for the commission after the election should be how to also do a reset because if they don’t do a reset, I worry what people’s perceptions will be of the EC’s neutrality and competence in the elections that we have coming in the future.
“There has to be a significant review about what it will do differently to improve public confidence because it is currently at an all-time low.”
Electoral Commission (EC)has officially announced that Ernest Kumi of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has won the seat for Akwatia in the Eastern Region, following a long and disputed election process.
The results were declared at the National Police Training School in Tesano, Accra, after many attempts to finalize the election results in the region had failed.
Ernest Kumi received 19,269 votes, while his main contender, Henry Yiadom Boakye from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), got 17,206 votes.
Akwatia, which has traditionally been a stronghold for the NPP, became a major focus during the December 7 elections.
What should have been a simple announcement of results turned into a lengthy process filled with delays, disputes, and accusations.
Before this, Ernest Kumi had won the NPP’s primary election in 2023, defeating Ama Sey to secure the party’s nomination. His victory in the primary was seen as a sign of his growing influence and readiness to compete in the general election.
However, the election itself was full of complications, with controversies at almost every stage.
Akwatia was one of four constituencies, along withSuhum, Nsawam, and Fanteakwa North,where the final election results had to be moved to the National Police Training School for re-collation.
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has disqualified Philip Appiah Kubi, the replacement presidential candidate for the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), due to alleged errors and inconsistencies found in his nomination documents.
This decision was announced by EC Chair Jean Mensa at a press briefing on Tuesday, November 12, who noted that the disqualification followed a detailed review of the party’s submission.
Mensa explained that while the GFP was given an opportunity to address these issues, some of the irregularities were deemed unacceptable, leading to the final disqualification.
“The candidates submitted their nomination forms on November 5, and our technical teams went to work immediately reviewing the nomination forms. At the end of the end of the process, they detected a number of errors and some illegalities within the forms. The candidate’s attention was drawn to these errors, and the party was provided an opportunity to correct them. They did that. In the view of the commission, it was not in our blossom to provide the political party the opportunity to correct some of the illegalities that we found on the form. In that respect, the party did not draw their attention to it because the commission does not feel that it is in it bossom to allow any political party to correct illegalies with the form. The commission therefore as at yesterday wrote to the party and to the candidate disqualifying him from contesting the 2024 presidential elections,” the EC stated
This turn of events has created further challenges for the Ghana Freedom Party (GFP), which was already struggling after the unexpected death of its founder and original flagbearer, Akua Donkor, on October 15.
Her passing left the party scrambling to find a new candidate, prompting the Electoral Commission (EC) to offer a 10-day grace period for GFP to nominate a replacement, ultimately resulting in Mr. Kubi’s selection.
However, upon evaluating Mr. Kubi’s documents, the EC identified several serious issues that went beyond simple administrative mistakes.
Jean Mensa emphasized that the EC has a responsibility to uphold electoral standards and cannot accept documentation with significant legal discrepancies, regardless of GFP’s attempts to address them.
The EC Chair reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to a fair and legal electoral process, stressing that upholding these standards is essential to maintaining public confidence.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken legal action by filing an injunction to stop the Electoral Commission (EC) from printing parliamentary ballot papers and notices of poll for the Amenfi Central constituency.
This move comes in response to the recent disqualification of their candidate, Joana Gyan Cudjoe.
Cudjoe’s disqualification was based on an interlocutory injunction issued by the Sekondi High Court, which bars the EC from acknowledging her as the NDC’s candidate for the upcoming elections on December 7.
This court order is linked to a pending lawsuit regarding her eligibility, which remains unresolved, effectively preventing her from participating in the parliamentary race.
The NDC contends that if the EC proceeds to print ballot papers without addressing the ongoing legal situation, it would violate the legal process and infringe upon Cudjoe’s rights as a candidate.
In their application, they seek a court order to prevent the EC from printing or distributing any ballot materials for Amenfi Central until the issues regarding Cudjoe’s disqualification are fully resolved.
As the election date draws near, this situation adds further complications to the NDC’s campaign efforts in the constituency.
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has released the ballot statistics in preparation for the upcoming 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections.
This announcement was made in a press statement issued on Monday, October 14, and signed by Deputy EC Chairperson Samuel Tettey.
According to the EC, the publication of these statistics is a key step in ensuring the smooth and efficient conduct of the electoral process. The Commission has based its ballot printing plans on the total number of voters registered in the Provisional Voter’s Register (PVR), with an additional two per cent increase factored in to account for any rise in voter participation.
By implementing this approach, the EC aims to prevent any potential shortages or discrepancies on election day, ensuring there are enough ballots available for all eligible voters. The Commission noted that while it encourages full voter turnout, it also recognizes that not every registered voter may cast their ballot.
Nicholas Osei, widely known as Prophet Kumchacha and the founder of Heaven’s Gate Ministries, has announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race.
Initially, he planned to run as an independent candidate with the Kum People’s Party (KPP), but he cited the stringent requirements set by the Electoral Commission (EC) as a significant factor in his choice to step back.
In a recent interview on Kingdom FM, Kumchacha acknowledged that while he could afford the GHS 100,000 filing fee, he ultimately decided it wasn’t worth the risk given his prospects for success. “I have money, I could have afforded the GHS 100,000 fee, but I can’t pay that amount knowing that I will lose,” he candidly said.
Kumchacha further elaborated that after conducting his own research and gathering insights, he concluded he wouldn’t pass the EC’s vetting process.
“I had gathered information and intelligence told me based on their survey, I won’t even go past EC’s requirement. The likes of Bernard Mornah, Sam Ankrah did not even have it easy so I knew this year, I wont stand a chance”.
He mentioned that prominent figures like Bernard Mornah and Sam Ankrah faced challenges, reinforcing his belief that his chances this year were slim.
Despite his withdrawal, Kumchacha maintained that he would have excelled as president, downplaying concerns regarding his English proficiency.
Throughout his campaign, he had aimed to address critical issues such as housing affordability with proposed rent control reforms and intended to revamp the criminal justice system by reducing sentences for minor offenses while promoting state-sponsored employment for ex-offenders.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has clarified that no balls were swapped during the balloting process for the upcoming presidential elections.
In an interview with Accra-based Joy News, the Deputy Chair for Corporate Services at the Electoral Commission, Dr. Bossman Asareemphasized that the process was transparent and free from irregularities.
Dr. Asare stated that all political party representatives, including independent candidates, were present during the exercise.
“We didn’t use any different balls yesterday. What transpired was that before the activities began or the exercise began, we gave the opportunity to the party to examine the balls.
“But before we began the exercise, everything was given and this was done before the full glare of the media and the political parties Dr. Bossman Asare stated.”
To further ensure transparency, Dr. Asare responded to a concern raised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding an anomaly in the balloting process.
“It was later on that the NDC rep, Dr. Omane Boamah indicated that he has noticed some differences and the independents candidates and their representatives. We believe the processes were transparent so along the line when the NDC rep raised the flag that he believed one ball was so different from the others, the commission decided that this was an activity we were taken for the politcal parties as well as the good people of Ghana. We removed the ball to allow the process continue.”
The balloting process at the Electoral Commission (EC) for presidential candidates experienced some chaos.
This occurred after the Commission conducted the initial part of the process, which determined the sequence of the actual balloting. Following this, Dr. Boamah raised concerns that one of the balls had a unique feature that could compromise the integrity of the process.
The National Director of Research and Elections for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Evans Nimako disagreed with these concerns.
After more than 30 minutes of argument, the Commission agreed to replace the affected ball, and the process was set to be rerun from the beginning.
As a result, the NPP secured the number one position on the ballot paper for the upcoming December 7 polls, while the NDC occupied the number eight spot.
The Ghana Police Service (GPS) has refuted claims about a shooting incident at the Electoral Commission (EC) office in Kumasi, assuring the public that no demonstrators were harmed.
In response to circulating reports, the police clarified that there were no injuries among protesters during the demonstration.
A police statement released on Tuesday explained that a group of demonstrators had tried to enter the EC office compound, violating the pre-agreed arrangements. Officers intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
The GPS also urged the media to ensure accurate reporting to avoid spreading false information.
However, it was confirmed that tensions flared in Kumasi as police deployed teargas to disperse NDC supporters who clashed with law enforcement during the ‘Enough is Enough’ protest.
Reports indicate that one protester sustained injuries and was taken to the hospital for medical attention.
There were also incidents where protesters attempted to attack a police officer, who had to seek shelter in a nearby residence.
Another officer reportedly suffered injuries after being assaulted by demonstrators.
Former Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan has emphasised the critical role of professional electoral officers and electronic experts in ensuring the integrity of elections.
He stressed that the responsibility for any electoral misconduct lies primarily with the Electoral Commission, particularly with its professional officers and electronic specialists.
Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan while addressing a gathering at the Annual General Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, called for strict scrutiny of the role of electoral officers in ensuring a smooth electoral process.
“The Electoral Commission must be blamed if votes are being tampered with but not just the Electoral Commissioners but Professional Electoral Officers and Electronic experts. The professional electoral officers and electronic specialists are trained specifically to do what they do hence when the results are being tampered with only them can be held liable,” Dr. Afari Gyan stated.
Professional electoral officers manage the voter registration process, ensure voter identification, and maintain updated voter rolls, among others, whereas Electronic experts ensure the functionality and security of electronic voting systems, including biometric verification devices as well as, manage the collection, transmission, and storage of electronic voting data.
Dr. Afari-Gyan highlighted that in other countries, similar offences are met with stringent penalties, including imprisonment for up to 10 years.
He urged Ghana to consider adopting similar measures to reinforce the integrity of its electoral process.
This comes at the time when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns over inconsistencies in Ghana’s voter register ahead of the December 7, 2024 general elections.
Among the issues highlighted are missing names of registered voters, and potentially denying misplacement of eligible voters on the Exception or Multiple Lists, which could hinder their ability to vote on election day.
Some disqualified individuals, flagged for multiple registrations or challenges, were still included in the Main Provisional Voters Register (PVR).
Additionally, unauthorised voter transfers between polling stations were reported, with unresolved transfers from past elections still present.
Voters were also moved to different polling stations without their consent, creating confusion and possibly suppressing turnout.
In response to these irregularities, the NDC requested a forensic audit of the voter register, but the Electoral Commission (EC) denied this request, prompting further dissatisfaction from the party.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the NDC’s Director of Elections and IT, expressed disappointment, stating that the EC refused to allow the independent forensic audit.
The upcoming elections will see the New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and the NDC, headed by former president John Dramani Mahama, pegged to be the front runners, compete for the presidency, as incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo is ineligible to run due to term limits.
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has announced a crucial initiative to facilitate voter transfers for students ahead of the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 7, 2024.
This move aims to enable students who wish to vote at their campuses to transfer their votes from their original registration locations.
According to the EC, the voter transfer exercise will take place from Wednesday, July 3rd to July 5th, 2024, specifically on school campuses across Ghana.
This initiative comes in response to the advocacy of student groups and aims to ensure that students have convenient access to participate in the electoral process.
President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), Daniel Oppong Kyeremeh, expressed appreciation to the EC for accommodating the transfer requests and for setting up dedicated voter transfer centres across various campuses.
He urged all Ghanaian students to take advantage of this opportunity by visiting the voter transfer centres with their identification cards for verification and activation of the transfer process.
Kyeremeh emphasized that the voter transfers are restricted to the constituency where each student’s school is located, ensuring adherence to electoral regulations.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts by NUGS to address challenges faced by Ghanaian students studying abroad, particularly concerning delays in the disbursement of stipends.
“We are actively engaged with the Office of the Chief of Staff, the Education Minister, and the Scholarship Secretariat to find lasting solutions to the issues affecting our students abroad,” Kyeremeh stated. He noted specific challenges faced by students in Morocco and Europe, assuring that measures are being implemented to resolve these issues promptly.
The voter transfer initiative by the EC is expected to enhance student participation in the electoral process, ensuring that their voices are heard in the upcoming elections.
Students are encouraged to utilize this opportunity to make their electoral choices effectively and responsibly.
The Tamale High Court has issued an order directing officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) in the West Mamprusi Municipality to produce the ballot boxes containing votes from the NPP Walewale primary held on January 27, 2024.
Additionally, the court has mandated the Electoral Commission to submit the election register used during the primary to the court’s registry by the end of tomorrow, June 26, 2024.
The court’s decision follows a motion filed by the Plaintiff Hajia Lariba Zuwera, seeking the production of the ballot box and register by the Electoral Commission of the Walewale Constituency.
This ruling marks the second relief granted to the plaintiff within two days.
Earlier, on June 24, Justice Richard Kugyapaw of the Tamale High Court had issued an injunction against Dr. Mahama Tia Kabiru, preventing him from claiming the parliamentary candidacy of the NPP for the Walewale Constituency in the North East Region.
The court’s actions stem from a challenge to the election results by the incumbent Member of Parliament, Hajia Lariba Zuweratu.
Dr. Abudu Kabiru had been declared the winner by the Electoral Commission in Walewale after securing 145 votes, defeating Hajia Lariba Abudu.
Following the dispute, Hajia Lariba Abudu filed a case at the Tamale High Court contesting the election outcome. Efforts by the NPP to resolve the matter through an out-of-court settlement were previously requested.
In a related development, the Tamale High Court, presided over by Justice Richard Kogyapwah, granted the NPP’s request for a six-week period to settle the internal dispute out of court on March 27, 2024.
The blame for the party’s internal discord in the Walewale Constituency has been directed at Vice President and NPP flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia by Professor Naa Nabila Sulemana, the North East Regional Chairman of the NPP Council of Elders. According to Sulemana, Dr. Bawumia has the ability to mediate the issue given his familial connection to the former MP, who is his sister.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced plans to conduct a mop-up voter registration exercise from August 1 to 3, 2024.
According to a letter signed by the Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations, Mr. Samuel Tettey, the exercise will take place at all district offices of the Commission across the country, as well as in prison centers.
“This comes to inform you that the Commission will conduct a Mop Up Voter Registration Exercise at all the District Offices of the Commission throughout the country,” a part of the letter read.
“The Registration will also be extended to the Prison Centres. This exercise will take place from Thursday, 1st August to Saturday, 3rd August, 2024,” the letter further stated.
“The modalities for the Exercise will be discussed at an IPAC meeting to be held in due course, ” it concluded.
A disturbing incident occurred at the Tano South Electoral Commission (EC) office where a woman was left bleeding from her face after a police officer allegedly assaulted her with handcuffs.
The viral video, reveals the extent of the woman’s injuries and the nature of the confrontation.
It also shows the woman with visible facial injuries, bleeding profusely, while bystanders express shock and anger over the incident.
The cause of the altercation remains unclear, but the severity of the woman’s injuries has drawn significant attention and concern from the public.
Watch video below:
[VIDEO] Tano South: Chaos erupts at the EC office; one injured.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued a directive to its Regional Directors, instructing them to notify District Directors that political party agents will not be allowed to observe the ongoing transfer of votes.
Effective Monday, June 3, this directive aims to address recent clashes at EC district offices, ensuring a smooth vote transfer process and preventing further disturbances.
While party agents won’t be allowed to observe, the EC maintains its commitment to transparency.
It will provide copies of the transferred vote list to political parties and candidates upon request.
This decision seeks to balance the need for order and security at district offices with the requirement to inform political parties about vote transfers, thus upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has launched inquiries into approximately 12,000 challenge cases logged during the recently concluded limited voter registration drive.
Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Director of Electoral Services at the EC, stated that the committee’s task is to determine the eligibility of these individuals for inclusion on the electoral roll.
As per the provisional figures provided by Dr. Quaicoe, the Commission has surpassed its goal of registering 623,000 first-time voters, reaching a total of 747,715 by the end of the 22nd day.
In an interview on JoyNews, Dr. Quaicoe mentioned, “Our target was 623,000, so we’ve surpassed that by approximately 100,000.”
When asked about the Commission’s reaction to exceeding its target, he emphasized that the focus is on the quality of the registrations rather than just meeting numbers.
He further explained, “Political parties are raising concerns about the registration of minors and foreigners, indicating that there’s a need to clean up the register.”
Regarding the challenge cases, Dr. Quaicoe noted, “We currently have around 12,000 cases… they were challenged during registration due to doubts about their age, citizenship, or residency in claimed districts.”
He added, “The adjudication process has begun, and we anticipate completion by next week. Interestingly, the political parties themselves, being part of the process, have the authority to vote on disqualifications.”
Meanwhile, the EC has garnered support from political parties to propose legislation in Parliament, establishing the Ghana Card as the sole document for verifying citizenship during voter registration.
This move aims to address issues like underage registration and foreign nationals attempting to register, a stance notably favored by the NPP.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that fraudulent Ghana Card numbers were used to register some individuals at the Pusiga District Registration Centre during the ongoing voter registration process on May 13, 2024.
It was found that approximately 17 individuals had used fake Ghana Card numbers during the registration exercise at this centre.
The implicated Registration Officer was dismissed and subsequently arrested after a report was made to the police.
In a statement issued on Monday, May 20, the EC disclosed that the Registration Officer was found to be complicit in the fraud.
The EC explained that the officer failed to physically verify the Ghana Cards of each applicant and instead accepted the fraudulent numbers from Party Agents who had accompanied the 17 applicants.
“Upon investigation, it was revealed that the Ghana Card numbers were fake. It was further discovered that the Registration Officer was complicit because he did not physically inspect the Ghana Card of individual applicants but rather accepted the fake numbers from Party Agents who had accompanied the 17 applicants.
“The Registration Officer was dismissed. A report was made to the Police and he was arrested. He has since been granted a police enquiry bail while the Police continue with their investigations. The 17 Applicants were subsequently registered through the Guarantor System.”
The National Organizer of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye (Nana B), has exposed an alleged scheme by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to implicate the NPP in the controversy surrounding missing Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits and Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).
Nana B, citing credible sources, claims the NDC plans to plant some of the missing devices, which they allegedly possess, at various NPP offices across the country.
He asserts that the opposition party intends to invite selected media houses to these locations to capture footage of the missing devices purportedly found in NPP offices.
Nana B further disclosed that some NDC members had prior knowledge of the BVR kit theft and planned to steal components from 25 other BVRs. These components could be reassembled for voter registration.
The controversy began in April when the Electoral Commission (EC) handed over individuals suspected of stealing five laptops, part of the BVR kits, to the police. This followed allegations by the NDC about the missing kits.
The NDC Minority in Parliament first announced the missing kits on March 19, 2024, calling for urgent police action and expressing concerns about the upcoming December election.
On March 20, 2024, the EC clarified that it was five laptops, not the Biometric Verification Devices, that were stolen.
Despite this clarification, the NDC called on the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, to investigate the unaccounted-for BVR components to ensure fair December polls.
NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah claimed the stolen BVR kits could be used to illegally register voters for the December 7 general elections.
However, the EC assured Ghanaians that the missing laptops alone could not be used for voter registration or verification.
Nana B asserts that the NDC’s insistence on the stolen kits being used to tamper with elections is part of a scheme to hide the kits in NPP offices and accuse the EC of colluding with the governing party to rig the elections.
He likened this strategy to a 2008 incident in the Akwatia Constituency where NDC members allegedly planted stolen ballot boxes at an NPP executive’s house and then called for his arrest.
Given this situation, Nana B urges all NPP Constituency Executives, Regional Executives, and party stakeholders to remain vigilant around party offices to prevent potential intrusions by the NDC.
These unfolding events highlight the heightened tensions and accusations between the two major political parties as the December elections approach.
Despite initial challenges, the Electoral Commission (EC) remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering a credible voter register for the 2024 elections.
Director of Electoral Services at the commission, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, affirmed this determination, stating that the EC is focused on ensuring a successful electoral process for Ghanaians.
In an interview with Keminni Amanor on Hot Issues, Dr. Quaicoe highlighted the EC’s advanced Biometric Voter Devices (BVDs), renowned for their speed and accuracy in verifying voter identity.
He expressed confidence that history will judge the EC positively for its efforts.
Addressing past technical challenges, particularly during the 2020 elections, Dr. Quaicoe assured that despite initial hurdles, the elections were ultimately successful.
He explained that the decision to switch to offline registration mode during the limited voter registration exercise was a collaborative effort with political parties, emphasizing its familiarity from previous election cycles.
Dr. Quaicoe also disclosed that by the end of Day 6 of the registration exercise, approximately 2,900 challenges had been raised nationwide, with efforts underway to resolve them promptly.
Regarding the ongoing limited voter registration exercise, the EC aims to register around 623,000 first-time voters across the country.
The exercise, spanning 21 days from May 7 to May 27, 2024, involves setting up additional registration centers to accommodate individuals who may face accessibility challenges.
Permanent registration centers will be established at district offices, supplemented by mobile teams to reach voters in remote areas.
The EC pledged to provide a list of registration centers to political parties at least 21 days before the exercise commences, ensuring transparency and accessibility throughout the registration process.
“The EC has one of the best BVDs in the world in terms of speed and accuracy in determining voter identity. Posterity will judge us.”
“Anybody who has followed our elections will know that the technical challenges happened in 2020 when we decided to go for the new biometric verification devices. But it turned out to be a successful election,” he added.
“Going offline is part of the voter registration process, so it’s not something new. We did more offline registrations in 2020 than in 2024,” he told Keminni Amanor.
“Permanent centres will be set up at the District offices while mobile teams would be used to register eligible applicants in the difficult-to-access Electoral Areas. The list of registration centres will be provided to the Political Parties no later than twenty-one (21) days to the Registration exercise,” the EC noted.
Police in Asokore Mampong, Ashanti Region, have apprehended two foreigners who attempted to register at a local voter registration center.
The Nigerian nationals were unable to justify their presence to Electoral Commission (EC) officers and the police, leading to their transportation to the police station for further questioning.
Despite nationwide technical challenges during the initial stages of the voter registration exercise, electoral officers in Asokore have registered a total of 2,304 individuals as of Wednesday, May 15, 2024.
However, there have been about six instances of double registration, and the arrest of the two foreigners on Thursday.
Angela Afiriyie Osei, the Asokore Mampong District Officer of the EC, has warned unqualified individuals to refrain from participating in the registration exercise.
Meanwhile, police report that the two apprehended individuals are currently being interrogated.
During a press conference, the NDC’s general secretary emphasized their vigilance against any irregularities, stating, “Our actions are rooted in preserving stability. The NDC stands ready to safeguard transparent elections, even at personal risk.”
“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh.This revelation speaks volumes about his intentions and the potential peril to our nation’s stability. What the NPP, unfortunately fails to understand is that the NDC stands prepared and vigilant, ready to ensure free and transparent elections, even at the risk of our own lives.
“We challenge President Akufo-Addo and the NPP to consider any underhanded maneuvers.
“Let this serve as an unequivocal warning: we are fully equipped and resolute, prepared to respond with unwavering determination to defend the sanctity of our votes and the democratic future of Ghana.”
Directly challenging President Akufo-Addo and the NPP to uphold fairness, the NDC asserted their preparedness to defend voting integrity and Ghana’s democratic trajectory, emphasizing the potential risks posed by illicit activities.
The limited voter registration campaign began nationwide, aiming to enroll 623,000 eligible citizens.
Spanning 21 days, this effort focuses on individuals newly eligible to vote or those previously unregistered, with 1,053 registration centers established, including 785 centers in remote areas as agreed with political parties.
The registration drive is scheduled to conclude on May 27, signaling a pivotal step towards Ghana’s electoral process.
The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to develop a backup plan to address the numerous challenges facing the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.
The registration process has been marred by difficulties, resulting in many individuals being unable to register. Following a visit to a voter registration center, Afenyo-Markin stressed the importance of the EC having a contingency plan to ensure that every eligible voter is registered before the process concludes.
“The Electoral Commission must improve on its system of registration. Obviously, if we are all talking about network failures, then I am not sure that they will be able to complete on schedule. The frustrations and the delays must be addressed.
“So I am urging the Electoral Commission to ensure that they have a backup system because as it is, the frustrations are one too many. And I would encourage the Electoral Commission to live up to expectations.”
Others, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC) running mate, Professor Jane Naana Opoku Agyemang, have suggested extending the deadline to compensate for the time lost due to technical and network issues.
Meanwhile, President Akufo-Addo has also encouraged all eligible voters to register to strengthen Ghana’s democratic process.
Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, has defended the commission’s choice to auction obsolete Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs), following the discovery of 10 BVDs at a recycling facility in Madina.
While the IMANI Center for Policy and Education has urged an investigation into the auctioning of the BVDs, Dr. Quaicoe maintains that the devices were outdated and lawfully auctioned.
However, Franklin Cudjoe, President of IMANI Africa, contends that such actions amount to misappropriation of state resources and require further scrutiny.
In a Face to Face interview on Citi TV, Dr. Quaicoe explained that they obtained permission from the finance ministry to auction obsolete equipment, including the BVDs, ensuring compliance with regulations.
He clarified that the auction process was properly advertised in the Daily Graphic, and a recycling company in Madina, selected from six auctioneers after an interview process, made the purchase.
“I want to put on record that the BVDs and BVRs were those which were used before 2020, we acquired new ones. So, once we acquired new ones, these ones were obsolete, we’re not using them. They were still occupying space, so the Commission wrote to the district valuer, STC, they did the evaluation of all the materials, and we have documentation to that effect.
“We sent permission to the Ministry of Finance seeking permission to dispose of. They also replied and gave us the permission to go ahead. The Commission interviewed six auctioneers and one of them was picked. And a little recycling company bought them located at Oyarifa, they have EPA approval to do all those things. The auctioneer advertised it, look for February 1, 2024, Daily Graphic.”
“They did interviews and the auctioneers auctioned the items. All the money generated was paid into the Consolidated Fund. We went through the legal means.”
“We’re not worried because we have not committed any offence. The documents are there.”
The Electoral Commission (EC) has expressed optimism about surpassing its goal of registering 623,000 new voters in the upcoming limited voter registration exercise.
Scheduled to commence on Tuesday, May 7, and conclude on Monday, May 27, 2024, the exercise aims to enroll individuals who have reached the age of 18 since the last registration onto the national voter roll.
The EC intends to conduct the registration at its district offices and in remote areas that pose accessibility challenges.
Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the EC, affirmed that all registration centers have been gazetted, and political parties have been briefed on the exercise.
Additionally, the gazetted centers and movement plans are accessible on the commission’s website.
“We have gazetted all our registration centres as well as the movement plans that will be followed by our mobile teams. In fulfilment of regulation 3 of CI 91 as amended which requires us to provide at least 21 days’ notice to the political parties, we have briefed all our political parties of the upcoming registration exercise.
“This took place on Thursday 7th March during our IPAC meeting and we shared with the parties the various centres nationwide as well as the movement plan.
“I would like to mention that the gazetted centres, our registration centres as well as our movement plan have been posted on our website. By informing the political parties as required by law, parties are now able to plan and prepare their agents to observe the voter registration exercise nationwide.”
“…We are confident that the arrangements we have deployed will help bring the registration activities closer to the doorstep of the citizenry. In 2023 we targeted approximately 700,000 new registrants and we far exceeded that by registering 910,000 new registrants. We have no doubt that with these arrangements in place, we will exceed our target of 623,000 new registrants this time around,” she stated.
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has readied 195 observers for the imminent Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Exercise organized by the Electoral Commission (EC).
These observers, distributed across 146 randomly selected districts, underwent comprehensive training for the event, scheduled to kick off on May 7 and conclude on May 27, 2024.
Comprising 25 Regional Coordinators, 84 stationary observers, and 86 mobile observers, the observer team is primed for professional conduct at the registration centers, ensuring the delivery of quality reports to CODEO’s data center throughout the registration period, as stated by Albert Kofi Arhin, the National Coordinator for CODEO, in a statement issued on Monday, May 6.
Mr. Arhin underscored that the observation of the 2024 BVR aligns with CODEO’s objective to foster transparency, public confidence, and trust in the electoral process.
“CODEO’s observation of the 2024 BVR is in line with its objective to promote transparency, public confidence and trust in the electoral process. The observation of the BVR exercise is the first of the Coalition’s elections support activities planned towards the 2024 general elections,” he added.
“The Coalition appeals to all stakeholders involved in the electoral process, with a special emphasis on political party leaders and supporters, to abide by the rules and stated procedures governing the conduct of the registration exercise and avoid any acts and expressions that may undermine the peacefulness and credibility of the registration exercise.”
“The Coalition also entreats all stakeholders to employ lawful and nonviolent avenues to seek resolution for any complaints that may arise during the exercise,” he stated.
Encouraging all eligible voters, especially first-time voters, to partake in the registration exercise for the upcoming 2024 general elections, Mr. Arhin urged stakeholders, particularly political party leaders and supporters, to adhere to the rules and procedures governing the registration process to uphold its peacefulness and credibility.
“The observation of the 2024 Biometric Voter Registration exercise is jointly supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Consortium for Elections and Political Processes Strengthening (CEPPS) mechanism,” he added.
He emphasized that the BVR exercise observation marks the initial step of the Coalition’s electoral support activities for the 2024 general elections.
He further urged stakeholders to resort to lawful and nonviolent means to address any complaints arising during the exercise.
Mr. Arhin assured that observation reports would be periodically shared with the public throughout the exercise.
Electoral Commission (EC)has announced its initiative to replace voter ID cards from Thursday, May 30, to Friday, June 14.
This period will also facilitate the transfer of votes and applications for proxy voting. These services will be available at EC district offices, selected electoral areas, and public universities.
It’s crucial to highlight that it is a criminal offence for a guarantor to vouch for more than 10 people, non-Ghanaians, or individuals under 18 years of age.
In preparation for the December 2024 polls, the EC had previously disclosed plans to update the voter register, scheduled from May 7 to May 27, 2024.
The objective is to incorporate newly eligible voters, specifically those who have recently turned 18, into the voter register.
Furthermore, individuals over 18 years old who have not yet registered for avoter’s ID cardwill have the opportunity to do so during this period.
The Care for Free and Fair Elections Ghana (CARE Ghana) has called upon the Electoral Commission (EC) to enhance transparency ahead of the December 7 polls by releasing the names and images of all returning and deputy returning officers.
In a statement released on Thursday, May 2, signed by Executive Director David Kumi Addo, CARE Ghana emphasised the necessity of this measure to safeguard the country’s democratic integrity.
The group pledges to diligently review the list to identify any politically biassed individuals who could potentially disrupt the electoral process.
“This transparency measure is not merely a matter of protocol; it is a vital safeguard against the insidious influence of criminal elements seeking to hijack our democracy for their selfish ends.
“Care for Free and Fair Elections Ghana (“CARE” GHANA) stands ready to fulfill its civic duty by meticulously scrutinizing the backgrounds and affiliations of these officers. Our extensive network of vigilant citizens will spare no effort in identifying and exposing any individuals politically tainted.
“By shining a spotlight on these infiltrators, we can prevent them from wielding undue influence over the electoral process and ensure that the voice of the people is heard loud and clear on Election Day.”
Certain constituents in Ejisu, Ashanti Region have been spotted in a video playing cards instead of participating in the ongoing by-election.
Explaining their decision to boycott the election to Kofi TV, they stated that nothing will convince them to go and vote unless they are given money.
According to them, they can’t go and vote on an empty stomach, therefore, they will rally behind whichever candidate that will give them 200 or 500 Ghana cedis.
The Electoral Commission (EC) officially approved six candidates to participate in the ongoing Ejisu by-election.
This by-election, aims to elect a new parliamentary representative for the Ejisu Constituency following the demise of the incumbent, John Kumah, who also served as the deputy finance minister.
Kwabena Boateng, representing the NPP, has secured the second position on the ballot and emerges as one of the leading candidates.
Former MP Ing. Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, standing as an independent candidate, occupies the fourth spot, with Beatrice Boakye of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) listed third.
Esther Osei represents the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and holds the first position on the ballot. Gabriel Agyemang Joseph and Joseph Attakora, both running as independent candidates, occupy the fifth and sixth positions, respectively.
It’s noteworthy that the largest opposition party, the NDC, has opted not to nominate a candidate for the by-election.
Anticipations suggest that Kwabena Owusu Aduomi, a former three-term NPP member of Parliament running as an independent candidate, could pose a significant challenge to his former party.
Additionally, there are murmurs of discontent among some constituents, who express grievances over neglected promises and unmet needs, with sentiments of hunger and dissatisfaction looming over the electoral process.
The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has taken legal action against the Electoral Commission (EC) by filing an interlocutory injunction application, seeking to halt the Ejisu by-election.
The CPP’s move is aimed at preventing the April 30 by-election from proceeding until a lawsuit against the Electoral Commission, initiated by Emmanuel Gallo, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the CPP, seeking to stop one Esther Osei from representing the party in the poll, is determined.
Among the six reliefs sought by the party, it is praying the court to declare that no Constituency Branch Conference of the CPP has been held in Ejisu to elect Esther Osei or anybody as a Parliamentary candidate.
“That on record, no Constituency Branch Conference of the CPP has been held in Ejisu and elected the said Esther Osei or anybody as a Parliamentary candidate for consideration and approval by the CPP’s Central Committee to be submitted to Defendant as CPP’s Parliamentary candidate for the said Ejisu Constituency by-election.”
The party added that its “Central Committee has not considered and approved the said Esther Osei or any other person to contest on the ticket and behalf of the CPP as a political party, regarding the Defendant’s intended Ejisu Constituency by-election.
The party argues that any candidate purportedly representing the CPP in the by-election, particularly Esther Osei, has not been officially endorsed through the party’s internal processes as mandated by its constitution.
The CPP contends that the selection of a parliamentary candidate for the constituency should involve the Constituency Branch Party Conference, followed by approval from the Central Committee, which has not occurred in this instance.
In its legal action, the CPP seeks a declaration affirming that the party’s Central Committee has not endorsed Esther Osei or any other candidate to contest on behalf of the CPP in the Ejisu Constituency by-election.
The party is seeking an injunction from the High Court to halt the by-election until its claims and demands are determined.
The Vice-President in charge of research at the IMANI Centre for Policy and Education, Bright Simons, has expressed profound concern regarding what he perceives as alarming wastefulness within Ghana’s political system.
Addressing the X platform, Simons illuminated a critical aspect of governance that he believes urgently requires attention and reform.
One specific issue highlighted by Mr Simons is the recent controversy surrounding the adoption of a new electoral register.
“The WASTEFULNESS of the political system in Ghana FRIGHTENS me! Many didn’t pay attention, but when IMANI opposed the new electoral register, our main reason was that the EC intended to trash thousands of devices in good condition. No one cared,” he wrote.
Despite objections from the advocacy group IMANI, which raised concerns about the unnecessary disposal of thousands of functional devices by the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Simons expressed dismay at the apparent lack of public outcry over the matter.
A recent report by IMANI revealed that the Electoral Commission (EC) intends to discard a system valued at $60 million, with at least $40 million of value accumulated since 2016 alone.
According to the group, the implementation of this new biometric system is estimated to cost $150 million (plus contingency).
IMANI’s report suggests that a careful analysis of best practices in procuring biometric technology for elections in Africa indicates that the EC’s proposed spending plans are inflated by about 60 per cent.
They argued that the EC’s proposed system is disproportionately expensive compared to similar systems in other African countries.
1/ The WASTEFULNESS of the political system in Ghana FRIGHTENS me! Many didn't pay attention, but when IMANI opposed the new electoral register, our main reason was that the EC intended to trash thousands of devices in good condition. No one cared. https://t.co/vGEIvtkd3x
An Accra High Court has remanded three Electoral Commission (EC) staff members and one student for the theft of laptops and Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).
The four individuals were remanded following a hearing on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
This comes after Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson revealed on Tuesday, March 19, that the EC confirmed the disappearance of seven BVDs, which cannot be traced.
Dr. Forson urged the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to provide details of their ongoing investigations, expressing concern over the potential compromise of future elections.
However, addressing the press in Accra on Wednesday, March 20, Deputy Commissioner at the EC, Dr. Bossman Asare, refuted the allegations, stating, “these allegations are not true. No BVD has been stolen. To set the records straight, the Commission recently undertook routine servicing of its Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits”.
He clarified that during routine maintenance of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits, five laptops were discovered missing, not seven BVDs as initially reported.
Dr. Asare emphasized that Biometric Voter Registration Kits, which include a laptop, camera, scanner, and printer, are distinct from the Commission’s Registration Data Systems and incapable of manipulating election outcomes, contrary to suggestions.
“It was during this maintenance that we discovered the theft of five (5) laptops from the Biometric Voter Registration kits, not seven BVDs as erroneously stated.
“For clarification, Biometric Voter Registration Kits, which comprise a laptop, camera, scanner, and printer, are entirely separate from the Commission’s Registration Data Systems and are incapable of manipulating election outcomes as suggested,” he added.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for an independent inquiry into the Electoral Commission (EC) following allegations of missing laptops from the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits.
Contrary to the assertions made by the opposition NDC, the EC clarified on March 20 that none of its Biometric Verification Devices (BVD) were missing.
The EC disclosed that only five laptops were stolen from its custody.
The deputy chair in Charge of Corporate Services, Dr. Bossman Asare, appealed for calm and assured the public that the theft of the laptops would not compromise the integrity of the 2024 elections.
However, during an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, the Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the NDC, accused the EC of evasiveness regarding the matter.
He alleged that the EC was constantly shifting its stance whenever questioned about the missing devices.
“…They continue shifting goalposts. You push them they go this way; you push them they go this way. This has strengthened our position that this EC should be thoroughly investigated by an outside body. Because a lot of things are not going on well there,” he stated.
This move comes after the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the primary opposition party, urged the EC to hold discussions with political stakeholders.
The NDC specifically raised concerns about missing laptops and the return of certain outstanding Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).
In an invitation letter to participating parties, the EC outlined an agenda covering various vital topics.
These include the upcoming voter registration exercise, the Ejisu by-elections, updates on biometric equipment, and any other pertinent matters.
Mustapha Gbande, the NDC’s deputy general secretary, expressed appreciation for the EC’s decision to heed their request, calling it a goodwill gesture.
He stressed the need to address concerns about potential machine tampering and advocated for adopting prescribed standards and tools to ensure integrity.
Gbande emphasized transparency and reconciliation’s significance in safeguarding electoral process credibility, assuring stakeholders that measures would be taken to prevent compromises.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has directed its Regional offices to return all Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) utilized during the 2023 District Level Elections to the headquarters in Accra.
These regions include Greater Accra, Eastern, Western, Central, Upper East, Savannah, Northern, North East, Western North, and Volta.
This directive was communicated through a statement issued on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
“The Commission has been made aware of shortages in the quantity of BVDs retrieved from the aforementioned regions.” The Commission has directed the affected regions to make arrangements for returning the remaining BVDs to the Procurement Inventory and Management Unit at the Head Office,” the statement added.
The Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) responsible for Corporate Services, Dr. Bossman Asare, has reassured the public that the missing laptops from the Commission do not harbor sensitive data that could endanger the integrity of the 2024 elections.
Speaking during a press conference convened on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, Asare aimed to dispel misunderstandings regarding the reported disappearance of the devices.
Contrary to assertions by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) regarding missing Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) belonging to the EC, Asare clarified that only five laptops belonging to the Commission were missing, not the BVDs as alleged.
The matter surfaced when the Minority caucus in Parliament raised concerns on Tuesday, March 19, claiming that seven BVDs had vanished from the EC’s premises, leading to calls for a probe by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Nevertheless, Dr. Asare reaffirmed that all biometric devices under the Commission’s custody were securely stored, ensuring preparedness for the upcoming elections.
He assured the populace that the missing laptops contained no crucial data that could jeopardize the electoral process.
“We are fully prepared for the election, and I can confirm that five laptops have been stolen. These laptops do not contain any sensitive information. They do not pose any risks,” he said.
“BVDs are used for verification, while BVRs are for registration. The two devices must be connected for use. If someone steals the BVDs, they cannot be utilized,” he explained.
The Electoral Commission (EC) in a recent press conference held in Accra refuted claims made by Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson regarding missing Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs), assuring the public of the integrity of its systems and upcoming elections.
On Tuesday, March 19, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson indicated that the EC confirmed to them that the missing seven BVDs cannot be identified.
The minority leader has since called on the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service and other security agencies to “immediately issue a statement giving us the details of their investigations so far,” adding, “I am concerned and worried because that devices in the hands of an unknown person can compromise the future elections”.
In the conference, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bossman Asare clarified that no BVDs were stolen, contrary to Dr. Forson’s assertion.
The Commission discovered during routine maintenance that five laptops from the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) kits were missing, not seven BVDs as reported.
“For clarification, Biometric Voter Registration Kits, which comprise a laptop, camera, scanner, and printer, are entirely separate from the Commissions Registration Data Systems and are incapable of manipulating election outcomes as suggested. These kits, though crucial for voter registration, require specific activation to function accordingly. Without such activation, they serve no purpose beyond their individual components as a laptop, camera, scanner, or printer. What this means is that they are of no value beyond what they were manufactured to be.,” Dr. Bossman Asare stated.
Dr. Asare emphasised the distinction between BVR kits and BVDs, highlighting that the stolen laptops were incapable of compromising election systems or outcomes.
“Similarly, the stolen laptops, cannot be utilized for voter verification or registration. It remains just a laptop. As such, they cannot be used to compromise our systems and
undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections in December 2024. The integrity of our systems and elections remain intact. Again there seem to be some confusion as to the use of our equipment. It’s imperative to understand that the Commission utilizes two (2) distinct equipment for its operations: the Biometric Voter Registration kits which is used for voter registration and the Biometric Verification Devices to verify voters using their fingerprints or facial features on election day. These devices, in isolation, cannot fulfill the functions of registration or verification without proper activation.”
He assured that the stolen laptops contained no sensitive data and reiterated the Commission’s commitment to transparency and integrity in its operations.
“It is important to note that at the completion of every registration exercise, all data captured are erased from the laptops in a process termed ‘End of Life’. As such, we assure
the public that the stolen laptops contain no sensitive or valuable data. Consequently, the theft bears no impact on the integrity of upcoming elections, nor does it serve any political
agenda as insinuated. Upon detection of the theft, the Commission promptly notified security agencies involved in the maintenance process, and investigations are actively ongoing to apprehend and prosecute the suspects. The Commission places high value on its assets including the Biometric Voter Registration Kits and Biometric Verification devices hence its continuous reliance on the Police and other security devices to protect all its installations.
“The Commission urges public figures and citizens alike to exercise due diligence by verifying information before dissemination. This responsibility is paramount to maintaining
public trust and preventing unwarranted fear or panic. The Electoral Commission remains committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and integrity in itsoperations and elections.”
The Commission urged the public to verify information before spreading it, emphasising the importance of maintaining trust and avoiding unnecessary panic.
Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), Prof. Kenneth Agyeman Attafuah, has announced that the Electoral Commission (EC) can utilize data from the National Identity Register for the upcoming December elections.
This announcement was made during the launch of the Ghana Card Number at Birth initiative, led by Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of Ghana and Flagbearer of the National Patriotic Party, at Ga North Hospital in Ofankor, Greater Accra Region, on Thursday, March 14.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Attafuah highlighted the achievement of registering over 17.8 million Ghanaians onto the National Identity register, signifying a significant shift in the country’s voter identification process.
Attafuah emphasized the importance of the National Identity Register and the allocation of personal identification numbers to every newborn in the country.
He stated that this development would eliminate disputes concerning age and citizenship, ensuring a more transparent electoral process.
Attafuah expressed his excitement, pointing out the accomplishment of registering over 17.8 million Ghanaians onto the National Identity register.
He stressed that this achievement marks a notable transformation in the nation’s voter identification process.
Highlighting the significance of the National Identity Register, Attafuah reiterated the allocation of personal identification numbers to every newborn in Ghana.
He highlighted that this initiative would resolve disputes regarding age and citizenship, thereby enhancing the transparency of the electoral process.
“With the registration of over 17.8 million Ghanaians onto the National Identity Register of Ghanaians aged 15 and above, we now begin to look at the base. Commencing today, the personal identification number will be assigned to every child born in this country,” Attafuah stated.
Ghana’s Inspector General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, has reaffirmed police commitment to collaborating with the Electoral Commission and stakeholders for peaceful December elections.
He assured readiness to address security concerns and mentioned active engagement with stakeholders for pre, during, and post-election peace.
“We’re here to listen to you and understand your security concerns regarding the elections, so we can take proactive measures to address them,” Dr. Dampare stated, emphasizing the police’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful electoral process.
Madam Jean Mensa, EC Chairperson, praised the IGP and Police leadership for their proactive stance on the upcoming elections.
She expressed confidence in their collaborative efforts, believing they would inspire trust among all involved in the electoral process.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has rebuked the opposition National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) proposal to utilize drones in the Greater Accra region during the 2024 elections.
The NDC’s plan entails deploying drones to oversee the election proceedings in the region, but the EC views this initiative as a potential violation of voters’ electoral privacy and security measures.
The Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, remarked that the commission has not received formal communication from the NDC regarding their intention to employ drones.
Dr. Quaicoe emphasized that permitting such actions would contravene security protocols and jeopardize the confidentiality of voters.
“Polling stations are security zones, so they will have to apply to the security people for permission to be granted. They will have to apply to the Electoral Commission for permission to be granted.
“But my point is that how comfortable will you feel that you are going to vote at the polling station and there’s a drone hovering around you?
“How sure are you with respect to the secrecy of the ballot, so they have to apply,” he said in an interview with Joy News on March 12, 2024.
“The fact remains that polling stations are security zones. We want to ensure the secrecy of the ballot. So, at the polling station where I am going to make my choice, I want to vote in that secrecy,” he added.
The EC’s stance was prompted by remarks made by Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC, who clarified that the use of drones is part of the party’s strategy to secure two million votes in the forthcoming elections.
Mr Moore underscored the objective of enhancing the NDC’s monitoring capabilities to prevent potential electoral irregularities.
Furthermore, Moore disclosed ongoing preparations to train constituency executives on operating the drones effectively to monitor ground activities.
The Managing Editor of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt Jnr., has issued a warning to political parties in the country, urging them not to interfere with the duties of the Ghana Police Service during the upcoming elections.
Despite persistent calls from the Seventh Day Adventists Church and a section of the Ghanaian public to change the election date to accommodate their Sabbath Day observance, the Electoral Commission (EC) has maintained December 7 as the official date for the elections.
The Adventists had requested a shift in the election date as it coincided with their sacred Sabbath Day, falling on a Saturday this year.
The EC, however, has decided to stick to December 7 for the elections, rejecting the proposed change to a Tuesday in November.
Additionally, the EC has agreed, during their Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting in Accra, to retain the indelible ink as a verification method and continue with the guarantor system alongside the Ghana Card as identification for the elections.
Emphasizing the crucial role of the police in maintaining law and order during the elections, Kwesi Pratt commended the Inspector General of Police, expressing confidence in Dr. George Akuffo Dampare’s integrity.
He urged political parties to refrain from interfering with the work of the police on election day, stating, “Allow Dampare and his officers to work. No interference!”
