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Tag: Electoral Commission

  • Applicant has not shown exceptional circumstance for review application of interrogatories – EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has opposed to a motion on notice for review in respect of a dismissed application for interrogatories.

    The Supreme Court unanimously dismissed the application for interrogatories saying interrogatories should be based on relevance.

    The Petitioner, Mr John Dramani Mahama in the December 7 Presidential Election Petition case has however filed a review of the dismissed application for interrogatories.

    Mr Mahama held that the interrogatories would narrow down to the issues set out for trial.

    The EC in its affidavit in opposition sworn by Mrs Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Commission noted that the motion on notice for review did not show any exceptional circumstance necessitating the application for review.

    “Besides, the application has not raised any specific miscarriage of Justice suffered by virtue of the decision of the court to refuse the application for interrogatories.

    The EC says the decision by the Court to deny the application for interrogatories was made by the court in accordance with the dictates imposed by CI 99 of 2016 and the court ought not to change its compliance with the statute.

    “I believe the application for review will not serve the interest of Justice but rather instruct the timely completion of the applicant’s (Mr Mahama) own case in court in accordance with CI 99.

    The EC said the applicant (Mr Mahama) would not suffer any injury to his rights if the court dismissed the review application as he has the opportunity to solicit the answers he seeks now during cross-examination if he so wished, adding that “unless he is actually fishing and/or trying to delay the trial”.

    “I believe there are no exceptional circumstance or legal basis for that to warrant the intervention of this honourable court in this application for review,” the EC argued.

    Meanwhile, the EC has filed another motion for abridgement of time for the application for review.

    The EC want the Supreme Court to hear the application for review on January 26 instead of January 28, this year.

    The Commission says the abridgement of time was necessary for a speedy determination for the motion.

    “I pray that in the interest of Justice and speedy determination of this matter and in line with timelines in CI 99 be abridged to January 26 subject to the convenience of the court”.

    Source: GNA

  • EC to elect Council of State regional representatives on February 12

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that, on Friday, 12 February 2021, “elections will be held in all regional capitals at venues to be determined by the Commission” to choose regional representatives to the Council of State.

    The move, according to a statement issued by the Commission on Thursday, 21 January 2021, is in accordance with Paragraph (C) of Clause (2) of the Article 89 of the 1992 Constitution.

    “All qualified persons who intend to stand for the said elections should submit their nomination forms with two post-card size copies of recent photographs (bust) to the Regional Director of their respective regions from Monday, 1st February to Thursday, 4th February between the hours of 9.00 am and 12.00pm to 5.00 pm each day,” the statement added.

    Read full statement below:

    Source: Class FM

  • Hohoe High Court to hear petition on Kofi Adams, EC today

    A Hohoe High Court would Wednesday hear a case against Mr Kofi Adams, National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP-elect for Buem Constituency and the Electoral Commission by some 13 residents from the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) enclave in the Oti Region.

    The Petitioners have sued Mr Adams and the EC for excluding them from the December 7 Parliamentary election, which they described as unlawful and infringement on their rights to vote.

    They include Stephen Brempong, Wing Commander (rtd) Emmanuel Kusi Apietu, Johnson Addo, Titus Ayivor, Fuseini Abdul-Rahman and others.

    Ghana News Agency can confirm the suit is among the line-up of cases for today with a strong team of lawyers for the petitioners and respondents waiting patiently for the start of proceedings.

    They are therefore seeking an “order of perpetual injunction restraining Mr Kofi Adams from presenting himself to be sworn-in as MP-elect for Buem or holding himself as such”.

    The petitioners are also seeking a cancellation of the December 7, parliamentary election organised by the EC in the Constituency, and the conduct of a new one to include the 13 electoral areas which will allow them to cast their ballots.

    Mr Kofi Adams was declared MP-elect for Buem Constituency by the EC after securing a total of 18,560 of the valid votes cast to beat Mr Lawrence Kwame Aziale of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) who polled 6,854 votes.

    Source: GNA

  • EC gazettes 2020 parliamentary results

    The 2020 parliamentary elections results have been gazetted by the Electoral Commission (EC).

    The exercise is in accordance with the law which requires the EC to gazette the presidential and parliamentary results of every election.

    The declaration of the 2020 presidential election, which was earlier gazetted on December 10, 2020 is a constitutional instrument (CI 135) signed by Mrs Mensa.

    It reads: “In exercise of the power conferred on the Electoral Commission under Article 63 (9) of the 1992 Constitution, this instrument is hereby made.

    “Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, having, in the Presidential Election held on the 7th of December, 2020, pursuant to Article 63 (3) of the Constitution, obtained more than fifty per cent of the total number of valid votes cast, is hereby declared the President-Elect of the Republic of Ghana.”

    The gazetting of both the presidential and parliamentary results paves the way for any of the aggrieved candidates in the 2020 presidential election to file a presidential election petition at the Supreme Court to challenge the declaration by the EC.

    Read the full document of the gazette of the parliamentary election here

    Source: citinewsroom

  • 2020 parliamentary results gazetted

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has, in accordance with the law, gazetted the presidential and parliamentary results of the 2020 general elections.

    Extra O. Gazette No. 195 EC Parliamentary Results 2020

    Constitutional instrument (CI 135) signed by Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC) Jean Mensa said “In exercise of the power conferred on the Electoral Commission under Article 63 (9) of the 1992 Constitution, this instrument is hereby made.

    “Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate, having, in the Presidential Election held on the 7th of December, 2020, pursuant to Article 63 (3) of the Constitution, obtained more than fifty percent of the total number of valid votes cast, is hereby declared the President-Elect of the Republic of Ghana.”

    Meanwhile, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have rejected the results of the polls because in their view, the figures were tampered with by the Commission in favour of the incumbent President.

    Source: 3 News

  • Gazette of Hohoe Parliamentary results will not affect court’s order – Lawyer

    Lawyer Nelson Kporha, Counsel for the applicants in the Hohoe Parliamentary election injunction case, says although the Electoral Commission (EC) has gazetted the Hohoe Parliamentary results it would not have any consequence on the restraining order from the Ho High Court.

    He said restraining the EC from gazetting Hohoe MP-elect, John-Peter Amewu, was just one of the reliefs, disclosing that they were aware of the gazette before going to Court.

    Mr Kporha, who is one of the Counsel’s for applicants, secured an interim injunction restraining the EC from gazetting John-Peter Amewu, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament-elect for Hohoe.

    Meanwhile, Ghana News Agency’s (GNA) checks revealed that the Hohoe Constituency election was gazetted by the EC on Tuesday.

    Mr Kporha said the EC’s gazette was just “a presumption of elections,” which is a periodical publication that has been authorised to publish publicly or legal notices, usually established by statutes or official action, could be legally nullified, therefore it would not have any consequences on the order they sought from the court.

    He said “we are not bothered by the gazette,” we have other reliefs or orders that could make our case still hold.

    Mr Kporha said to restrain the respondents, especially the MP-elect from presenting himself as such between January 7 to January 2025, still is legal before the law.

    He said another is the availing himself to be sworn-in as Member of Parliament for Hohoe Constituency or holding himself as such.

    A Ho High Court on Wednesday granted an interim injunction restraining the EC from gazetting John-Peter Amewu, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament-elect for Hohoe.

    The Court presided over by Justice Mr George Buadi granted an ex parte application filed by Professor Margaret Kweku, National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Hohoe Constituency, Mr Simon Allan Opoku-Mintah, Mr John Kwame Obimpeh, Mr Godfred Koku Kofie and Mr Felix Quarshie.

    The respondents in the case are the EC, Mr Wisdom Kofi Akpakli Hohoe Municipal EC officer, Mr Amewu and the Attorney-General.

    The Court held that the EC be restrained from seeking to gazette the MP-elect with the order lasting for 10 days from Wednesday.

    The Court also ordered the MP-elect from presenting himself to be sworn-in as the MP for Hohoe Constituency or holding himself as such.

    Source: GNA

  • Kwesi Jonah calls for review of mode of appointment of EC Chairperson, Commissioners

    A Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Kwesi Jonah is calling for a review of the mode of appointment of commissioners of the Electoral Commission.

    According to him, the current mode of appointment is a contributory factor to the lack of confidence in the EC as expressed by the NDC in the just-ended elections.

    Currently, the President upon the advice of the Council of State appoints the EC Chairperson, the two Deputies, and the four other members of the commission.

    President Akufo-Addo in July 2018 nominated the current chair of the commission, Madam Jean Mensa, and her two deputies and were subsequently approved by the Council of State after the previous Chairperson, Charlotte Osei and her two deputies, Georgina Opoku Amankwa and Amadu Sulley were removed from office.

    Kwesi Jonah says the appointment of the EC officials must be done on broader consultative grounds in order to engender trust among stakeholders.

    He further proposed an amendment of the necessary laws to enable Parliament to vet and approve or disapprove of persons nominated to occupy the office.

    “The process of appointing the chair, the deputy chairs, and other members of the Commission have not been very consultative and that is why anytime someone is appointed is seen as someone who is coming to serve the interest of the government that appointed him or her,” he said.

    “We (Ghana) should look at it and make the process of appointment a bit more consultative, transparent, and open. Probably amend a section of the provisions of appointment so the chair will be vetted by Parliament and be voted upon,” he added.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Court grants interim injunction preventing EC from gazetting John Amewu as MP-elect

    The Ho High Court presided over by Justice George Buadi has granted an interim injunction restraining the Electoral Commission from gazetting John Peter Amewu as MP for Hohoe Constituency.

    This was after an ex parte application was argued in court by Tsatsu Tsikata for the applicants who hail from the towns who were prevented from voting in the parliamentary elections in the Hohoe constituency.

    The aggrieved persons went to court with an enforcement of their fundamental human rights specifically their right to vote.

    Mr Amewu has become the first candidate from the NPP to win the parliamentary seat in Hohoe since 2000.

    He won multiple polling stations with huge margins.

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Election 2020: UFP mount pressure on EC to redeclare correct results within 48 hours

    The United Front Party (UFP) has given the Electoral Commission (EC) a two-day ultimatum to redeclare the true results of the 2020 polls else face the wrath of the feud parties.

    The political party said the flip-flopping of the EC and the frequent changing of figures on the EC website is a clear indication of the flawed nature of the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.

    The leader of the party, Nana Agyenim Boateng said Madam Jean Mensah’s conduct has eroded gains made by the EC in the past decade and called on the citizenry to rise against her inactions to safeguard Ghana’s democracy.

    He also wants the EC to involve disgruntled parties to remedy the mishap before it leads to civil uprising as witness in other countries in Africa. Adding, “if chaos or something bad happen in this country Jean Mensah would have herself to blame”.

    Speaking at a press conference held at Kumasi on Tuesday, 22 December 2020; Mr. Agyenim argued that the conduct of the commissioner has subverted the will of many Ghanaians.

    He, therefore, called on well-meaning Ghanaians and respectable Civil Society Organizations to revolt and speak against the irresponsible act of the Electoral Commission.

    He told Maxwell Attah, a freelance journalist in a sideline interview that: “Nana Akuffo Addo was selected as president by Jean Mensa and some media, while John Mahama is the true president elected by majority of Ghanaians in the December 7 elections.”

    He noted that the just-ended presidential poll was rigged by NPP IT unit and endorsed by Madam Jean Mensa, as media houses who claimed their figures tallied with the EC have all been proved to be false, couple with constant massaging of figures by EC on daily basis.

    Against this backdrop, he implores the media to interrogate the matter and mount pressure on the EC to declare another results that truly reflect the 2020 presidential polls.

    Source: Maxwell Attah

  • Senior leadership of EC to remain at post during Christmas break

    The Electoral Commission (EC) says its senior leadership and some key operational staff will remain at work during its Christmas and New Year break which begins today.

    The EC in a press release issued today said the staff who will remain at work during the break will “engage with key stakeholders in pursuance of our mandate to the people of Ghana”.

    The remaining staff, including all the field staff of the EC across the 275 districts and 16 regional capitals will proceed on the break which the release adds is “aimed at promoting efficiency while reducing staff and administrative costs”.

    “Following the successful conduct of the 2020 general elections, all the field staff of the Electoral Commission across the 275 Districts and 16 Regional Capitals, having worked tirelessly throughout the year in spite of COVID 19, have been granted a well-deserved break. This break is aimed at promoting efficiency while reducing staff and administrative costs,” the release said.

    “The senior leadership and some key operational staff of the Electoral Commission will, however, continue to work during the break to engage with key stakeholders in pursuance of our mandate to the people of Ghana”.

    In an earlier circular issued on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, the EC indicated that it was to commence a Christmas and New Year recess on Wednesday, December 23, 2020.

    Per that circular signed by the Deputy Chairman of the EC, Corporate Services, Dr Bossman E.Asare, the Commission will resume duty on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

    Read the entire statement below;

    PRESS RELEASE

    23rd December 2020

    ELECTORAL COMMISSION GHANA

    UPDATE ON RECESS

    Following the successful conduct of the 2020 general elections, all the field staff of the Electoral Commission across the 275 Districts and 16 Regional Capitals, having worked tirelessly throughout the year in spite of COVID 19. have been granted a well deserved break. This break is aimed at promoting efficiency, while reducing staff and administrative costs.

    The senior leadership and some key operational staff of the Electoral Commission will however continue to work during the break to engage with key stakeholders in pursuance of our mandate to the people of Ghana.

    Thank you.

    ELECTORAL COMMISSION

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Electoral Commission denies receiving notice of minority petition presentation

    The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has denied allegations that it received prior notice of the Minority caucuses presentation of a petition scheduled for Tuesday at its head office in Ridge, Accra.

    Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader in Parliament, on Tuesday told the media that the Chairperson of the EC refused to accept the Minority caucuses petition despite an earlier notice.

    “We note that she refused to see or acknowledge us and contemptuously refused to receive a lawful and harmless petition…That also sets a good precedent for us that elected representatives of the people can be ignored as she did us,” he said.

    But explaining why no official was available to receive the petition, the EC in a statement said: “For the record, the Electoral Commission wishes to inform the General Public that it did not receive prior notice of the said presentation of the petition from the Minority Caucus.”

    It further stated, “Indeed, the Electoral Commission later learned that the Minority in Parliament delivered the said letter informing the Electoral Commission of its intended presentation scheduled for today Tuesday the 22nd of December at 10:08 this morning.”

    “The letter gives the start time of the said presentation as 10:00 am, giving the Commission no notice to receive the Minority Caucus given that the Chairperson and her senior team were not in the office,” the EC said.

    Read below the full statement from the Electoral Commission

    Source: ghanaweb

  • NDC MPs clash with police at EC Headquarters

    Things turned confrontational at the Electoral Commission’s Headquarters in Accra when some Minority members in parliament stormed the Electoral Commission’s Headquarters to present a petition.

    A number of about 50 MPs who were clad in black attire were initially stopped at the Ridge roundabout but managed to cross the barricade while they were being pushed by the police.

    They were also stopped at the Electoral Commission office at the entrance again stopped by the police. Some members of parliament were even pushed to the ground by these police personnel.

    Some MPs who described the situation as unfortunate said they were only there to present a petition to the Electoral Commission adding that it was not a demonstration but a peaceful walk to the EC office.

    Even though the content of the petition is yet to be revealed the NDC has consistently said they do not accept the results of the just-ended polls which was used to declare Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as president.

    The NDC has since the declaration embarked on several protests across the country.

    The Savanah Region is also currently protesting against the EC stating there will be no peace in the country until John Dramani Mahama is declared the president-elect of the country.

    During a protest in Tamale First Vice Chairman of the NDC, Chief Sofo Awudu Azorka also said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) intends swearing in John Dramani Mahama as President on January 7.

    Adding that the NDC believes that John Dramani Mahama is the legitimate President of Ghana and no human can change that.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • EC will pay a price for snubbing us, were majority in Parliament Ellembelle MP

    National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ellembelle Constituency in the Western Region, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has vowed that his caucus will not deal with the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) in any way.

    He told TV3s Komla Klutse on the sideline of a march by Minority members (MPs) to the headquarters of the Commission on Tuesday, December 22 that they have been disappointed by the Commission.

    Their march from Parliament was stopped at the Ridge Roundabout by police officers led by the Director of Operations for the Accra Regional Command of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Kwesi Ofori.

    The Minority MPs were, therefore, forced to read out the content of the petition to journalists.

    But the Ellembelle MP, who is convinced the Minority of the current Parliament will be Majority in the next Parliament, says the EC will pay a price for the attitude of its commissioners.

    “I think the important thing is that we are very disappointed in the Electoral Commission and the Electoral Commission will pay a price to the Majority in Parliament.

    “We vow never to deal with this Commission.”

    The NDC MPs are protesting results of the December 7 elections, claiming they won both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

    There have been series of demonstrations by supporters of the NDC to get the EC to overturn declared results of the elections.

    Source: 3 News

  • Minority to march to EC headquarters today

    The Minority in Parliament will today, Tuesday, December 22, 2020 march to the headquarters of the Electoral Commission.

    The Minority insists that the results declared by the EC for the elections were flawed.

    According to them, they are seeking for justice from the EC.

    The march they say is also to express their displeasure in the Techiman South parliamentary election which was declared in favour of Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah of the NPP.

    Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission (EC) has announced it will break for the Christmas holidays on December 23, 2020.

    A circular signed by the Deputy Chairman, Corporate Services, Dr. Bossman Asare said following the successful conduct of the polls, it will break for the holidays tomorrow (Wednesday).

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Creation of Guan constituency cannot happen under 7th parliament

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has disclosed that it will initiate processes leading to the creation of a new constituency in the Guan district when the 8th Parliament commences.

    At the just-ended general election, the EC could not hold elections for registered voters in the Guan District to elect a Member of Parliament due to the absence of a constituency.

    A source at the Electoral Commission said it was unable to create the Constituency because the C.I. needed to create the constituency could not have matured in the 7th Parliament.

    Parliament went on recess on November 9, for the December elections and resumed on December 14.

    The source said the EC could not lay the C.I. for amendment of the creation of constituencies because the 7th Parliament could not sit for 21 days before its dissolution at midnight, January 6, 2021.

    “If we had initiated the process in the 7th Parliament, the CI could not have matured. In that case, the process will have to start all over again in the 8th Parliament,” the source said.

    “The C I to be laid will have to stay in Parliament for 21 sitting days and come into force if 2/3s of Members of Parliament allows its journey. It is after the passage of the amended C.I. that the EC can contemplate the holding of any election in that created Constituency,” the source said.

    The EC noted that the Supreme Court had ruled on when elections could be held in a newly created Constituency.

    “It was not a deliberate attempt by the EC to deny the people of representation in Parliament. They could not have voted to elect an MP because it was not legally right for an MP to be voted for by two different districts,” the source said.

    “By law, if a new constituency is created they have to join the new parliament, and whether the people will have a representation or not in the 8th Parliament, it will be another huddle. As a Commission, we will do our part and leave the rest to the judicial process”.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Director at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Prof. Henry Kwasi Prempeh has suggested that it will be most appropriate for parliament to schedule the election of a new Speaker once the House gets a full complement of MPs seated.

    For him, the vacuum created with the delay of the parliamentary election in the Guan constituency should prompt the House to maintain the current Speaker in the interim until the House is set to elect a new speaker for the next parliament.

    “I think the most appropriate thing to do in the present circumstances, if the election of the Guan MP is not done by the time the next Parliament opens, is to have the current Speaker hold over as Speaker (thus creating no vacancy in the office) until the Guan MP is elected and then schedule the election of a new Speaker once the House has a full complement of MPs seated. But we must have a time certain by which this would happen,” Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh said in a Facebook post.

    Source: GNA

  • EC initiates process to create Guan constituency

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has disclosed that it will initiate processes leading to the creation of a new constituency in the Guan district when the 8th Parliament commences.

    At the just-ended general election, the EC could not hold elections for registered voters in the Guan District to elect a Member of Parliament due to the absence of a constituency.

    A source at the Electoral Commission said it was unable to create the Constituency because the C.I. needed to create the constituency could not have matured in the 7th Parliament.

    Parliament went on recess on November 9, for the December elections and resumed on December 14.

    The source said the EC could not lay the C.I. for amendment of the creation of constituencies because the 7th Parliament could not sit for 21 days before its dissolution at midnight, January 6, 2021.

    “If we had initiated the process in the 7th Parliament, the CI could not have matured. In that case, the process will have to start all over again in the 8th Parliament, ” the source said.

    “The C I to be laid will have to stay in Parliament for 21 sitting days and come into force if 2/3s of Members of Parliament allows its journey. It is after the passage of the amended C.I. that the EC can contemplate the holding of any election in that created Constituency,” the source said.

    The EC noted that the Supreme Court had ruled on when elections could be held in a newly created Constituency.

    “It was not a deliberate attempt by the EC to deny the people of representation in Parliament. They could not have voted to elect an MP because it was not legally right for an MP to be voted for by two different districts,” the source said.

    “By law, if a new constituency is created they have to join the new parliament, and whether the people will have a representation or not in the 8th Parliament, it will be another huddle. As a Commission, we will do our part and leave the rest to the judicial process”.

    Meanwhile, the Executive Director at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Prof Henry Kwasi Prempeh has suggested that it will be most appropriate for parliament to schedule the election of a new Speaker once the House gets a full complement of MPs seated.

    For him, the vacuum created with the delay of the parliamentary election in the Guan constituency should prompt the House to maintain the current Speaker in the interim until the House is set to elect a new speaker for the next parliament.

    “I think the most appropriate thing to do in the present circumstances, if the election of the Guan MP is not done by the time the next Parliament opens, is to have the current Speaker hold over as Speaker (thus creating no vacancy in the office) until the Guan MP is elected and then schedule the election of a new Speaker once the House has a full complement of MPs seated. But we must have a time certain by which this would happen,” Prof. H. Kwasi Prempeh said in a Facebook post.

    Source: GNA

  • Electoral Commission has shown dexterity in its work – Dr Antwi-Danso

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has shown dexterity in its work of managing electoral issues this year, Dr Vladimir Antwi-Danso, Dean of Academic Affairs, Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College, has said.

    Dr Antwi-Danso told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that although the EC may have made some administrative mistakes since it is a human institution, it had generally discharged its duties creditably,

    Analysing the EC’s performance in the just-ended election, he said, “I doff my hat for this EC because it has improved the electoral system tremendously”.

    “The EC used only the money the state gave it for this year’s elections, we didn’t go begging the international community for a dime, and that’s very good,” he said.

    Dr Antwi-Danso, also an International Affairs expert, noted that the partisan nature of issues on the election had brought heavy scrutiny on the operations of the EC, …”but I think the EC has not done anything untoward because there is a big improvement in the voting system”.

    Dr Antwi-Danso added that the EC had sanitized the electoral register and increased the polling stations substantially, with not more than 750 people at each polling station thus, reducing long queues and making it more convenient for people to vote.

    “Even before the 2020 Election, people were making it look like the EC has some sort of predetermined results, which is wrong. In fact, since 1992 we have vilify every EC Chairperson but this EC has remained focus and I doff my hat for her.

    “The political parties must have faith in our institutions and that will go a long way to improve our democracy.

    “Often we say we don’t have faith in the EC, the Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff and others, and it seems every time someone is in opposition, they don’t have faith in the state institutions, which is very bad for our democracy,” he stressed.

    Dr Antwi-Danso emphasized that for the country’s democracy to grow, the citizens must have confidence in the state institutions and offer them the necessary support.

    “The appointment of the heads of these state institutions should not be conterminous with the life of the government so that they will continue in the next government.

    “Their work should be dictated by the Constitution, not the government that appointed them and we, the citizens, must protect them,” he stated.

    Dr Antwi-Danso bemoaned the partisanship manner every issue was handled in the country.

    “We’re making the EC Chairperson’s work so difficult, but I believe if anyone has issues with the work of the EC, you go to court and prove that the EC is not working according to the remit of the Constitution and not vilifying it”.

    About 13 million eligible Ghanaians went to the polls on Monday, December 7, 2020, to elect a president and 275 parliamentarians.

    At the end of the polls, the incumbent President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo received 6,730,413 votes (51.59 per cent), beating opposition leader and former President John Mahama, who secured 6,214,889 votes, representing 47.36 per cent.

    However, the opposition leader refused to concede defeat, describing the election results as “flawed”.

    Meanwhile, both domestic and international election observer missions have given a clean bill of health to the elections, describing it as free, fair and transparent.

    Source: GNA

  • NDC wins Sene West Seat by 16 vote-margin

    The National Democratic Congress parliamentary candidate for Sene West has retained his seat as the Member of Parliament for the constituency.

    This comes after the Electoral Commission counted the ballot papers from the Tato Battor Polling Station B which were prior to this locked up at the Techiman police station following a court injunction.

    The Sene West constituency results were not declared after the elections because the ballot box for Tato Battor Polling Station B was snatched by one Christian Nukpeta when the election results were being counted.

    Although Christian Nukpeta was arrested immediately, the parties involved noticed that the seal of the ballot box belonging to the NPP had been removed, leaving that of the Electoral Commission and NDC.

    As a result, Lawyers for the NPP’s Sene West parliamentary candidate, Joseph Markay Kuma, immediately sought an injunction from the court to stop the EC from counting the ballot papers in the box.

    The ballot box was then locked up at the Techiman Police Headquarters.

    However, counsel for Joseph Markay Kuma withdrew their motion of injunction on the declaration of the results as filed in their petition.

    On Thursday, December 17, 2020 the court threw out the case brought by the New Patriotic Party against the Electoral Commission and the National Democratic Congress on the Sene West Parliamentary Elections.

    The court ruled that the said case lacks merit, the reason it was dismissed.

    The NPP has also been fined an amount of GH¢20,000 for wasting the time of the court.

    After the court ruling, the ballot papers in the box were counted and the NDC emerged winners.

    For the Tato battor polling station B NPP polled 148 votes while the NDC polled 275.

    This, when added to the previous results by other polling stations where the NDC polled 12441 and NPP polled 12952 votes, will produce higher figures; the NPP will now have a total of 13100 votes, while the NDC polls 13116 votes.

    The NDC won by 16 votes.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Election 2020: Police arrest scores of aggressive NDC protesters at EC Headquarters

    The Ghana Police has arrested some persons said to be sympathizers of the National Democratic Congress for picketing at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission.

    The protesters in the early hours of Thursday morning clashed with the police over the declaration of results of the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections.

    Hundreds clad in red attire and NDC party colours, amassed at the headquarters of the EC with placards to register their protest. The police then intervened in the situation and things turned rather ugly.

    The protestors began littering the streets, burning car tyres, a situation which led to somewhat a public distraction.

    Tensions were relatively calm at the time the GhanaWeb team arrived at the scene but later escalated as the protesters mounted a road block on the Kanda highway.

    The Police and military keeping security briskly moved in towards them and fired rubber bullets to disperse the crowd who kept chanting the words “No Mahama, No Peace”.

    This then followed up with a chase between the police and protestors which resulted in some arrests.

    Meanwhile, flagbearer of the NDC, John Dramani Mahama has accused Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa of presiding over what he describes as a flawed election.

    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo was declared the winner of the election by the returning officer of the presidential election on Wednesday December 9, 2020.

    Ghanaians went to the polls on Monday December 7, 2020 to elect a president and 275 Members of Parliament for the eighth time since 1992.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Election 2020: We’ve not filed any case against EC on Techiman South Parliamentary election NDC

    The main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has denied reports that it has filed a case against the Electoral Commission (EC) on the Techiman South Parliamentary election and has withdrawn same.

    According to the party, it has not filed any case in the High Court.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued by the NDC on Thursday, 17 December 2020 and signed by the Bono East Regional NDC Secretary, Mohammed Shamsudeen Ali.

    The Bono East NDC indicated that publication by some print media creating the impression that it has “withdrawn a suit brought against the EC from the High court for lack of evidence” is false.

    The party stated unequivocally that, it “has not filed any suit in court against the EC on the Techiman South Parliamentary Elections let alone withdrawing same” and urged the “general public to dismiss the said malicious publication with all the contempt it deserves.”

    The party further pointed out the facts that: “A citizen of Ghana who is a member of the NDC decided to go to court to compel the EC to do what is expected of them as the law establishes, this happened at the early stage of the confusion before the NDC legal team even came into the region for their facts finding mission.”

    Also, the NDC “legal team led by Lawyer Victor Kwadjoga Adawudu filed a petition to the EC for re-collation and submission of the results declaration sheet as it claims it has declared the results, after their facts finding mission in the Bono East region concerning the Techiman South and the Sene West Parliamentary Elections” and the citizen “who filed the said suit in the High court decided to withdraw his suit to pave way for the NDC petition filed by the legal team to be considered by the EC as the first legitimate means.”

    It continued that: “Any attempt by the pro-NPP media house or their surrogates to twist the facts for their political expediency will not see the light of the day.”

    The party also called on “those media houses to desist from publishing such malicious and fabricated stories just to please their paymasters.”

    It added that it is poised to “use all legitimate means to make sure that, the Techiman South Parliamentary Seat is declared” for its Candidate Mr Christopher Baasongti Bayere, “because he won the Seat convincingly based on the evidence available” to them on the face of all the pink sheets in their possession.

    The NDC, therefore, urged its “members, supporters and sympathisers to remain calm and resolute.”

    Source: Class FM

  • Desist from street protests against election results Christian Council to NDC

    The Christian Council of Ghana has urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to consider legal action instead of street protests in its opposition to the declared election results.

    “We entreat them to desist from the street protests and agitations and rather resort to the court to seek redress for their concerns in accordance with the law,” the council said in a statement.

    It also urged the NDC to “avoid statements that have the tendency to inflame passion and cause mayhem in the country.”

    The party has been engaged in some protests nationwide in protest of some declared election results.

    The opposition has engaged in a series of demonstrations in Accra, Zabzugu, Techiman South, Tamale and Kumasi in protest of the outcome of the elections.

    Most recently, hundreds of NDC supporters in the Ashanti Region marched to the regional EC office to protest the outcome of the 2020 elections.

    Aside from grievances at the constituency level, the NDC has also rejected the outcome of the presidential election which saw Nana Akufo-Addo declared President.

    The council further called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to as a matter of urgency come out with “a clear statement on the state of constituencies that have challenges with results declared in the December 7, 2020 elections.”

    Following reports that five persons in incidents of election violence, the Christian Council expressed concern that “the government has been quiet about the unfortunate killings that took place in certain constituencies during the elections and admonish government to ensure the investigation of the killings and bring culprits to book.”

    Find below the full statement

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Seek redress of election grievances through court EC to political parties

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has urged the leadership of various political parties to use the laid down procedures established by law to seek a redress of disagreements with the 2020 election results.

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has held different protests in some parts of the country to express their displeasure over the conduct and outcome of the 2020 polls.

    The EC in a statement entreated the parties to resort to the law for redress.

    “The Electoral Commission is aware of contests to some parliamentary seats by both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress in a number of constituencies. We entreat the political parties to use the laid down processes established by law to seek redress to their concerns.”

    Sene West parliamentary results

    The Commission also said it is concluding processes to declare the outcome of the parliamentary results of the Sene West Constituency.

    Sene West in the Bono East Region is the only constituency whose results are yet to be declared by the Commission due to a dispute at the constituency level. 

    So far, results for 274 seats out of the 275 parliamentary seats have been officially declared, with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winning 137 parliamentary seats, putting it ahead of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) which has won 136 seats.

    There is also an independent candidate who won a parliamentary seat in the Fomena constituency of the Ashanti Region.

    The EC indicated that it will in the coming days, bring finality to the issue of who won the Sene West constituency seat.

    “The Sene West parliamentary election is yet to be finalized and the outcome declared. The Commission assures the General Public that it is working to finalize the issues regarding the Sene West Constituency to enable the transparent, fair, credible, and peaceful conclusion of the process. We expect to bring finality to this issue within the shortest possible time”, the statement noted.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • EC finalizing processes to declare Sene West parliamentary results

    The Electoral Commission (EC) says it is concluding processes to declare the outcome of the parliamentary results of the Sene West Constituency.

    Sene West in the Bono East Region is the only constituency whose results are yet to be declared by the Commission due to a dispute at the constituency level.

    So far, results for 274 seats out of the 275 parliamentary seats have been officially declared with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) winning 137 parliamentary seats putting it ahead of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) which has won 136 seats.

    There is also an independent candidate who won a parliamentary seat in the Fomena constituency of the Ashanti Region.

    But the EC in a statement issued on Monday, December 14, 2020, indicated that it will in the coming days, bring finality to the issue of who won the Sene West constituency seat.

    “The Sene West parliamentary election is yet to be finalized and the outcome declared. The Commission assures the General Public that it is working to finalize the issues regarding the Sene West Constituency to enable the transparent, fair credible, and peaceful conclusion of the process. We expect to bring finality to this issue within the shortest possible time”, the statement noted.

    Both the NDC and NPP have claimed that they have won majority seats in Parliament.

    The NDC insists that it has won 140 parliamentary seats after the closing of polls on December 7, 2020, the NPP has disputed the claim.

    According to the EC, it is aware of contests to some parliamentary seats by both NPP and the NDC in a number of constituencies.

    But the Commission says it “entreats the political parties to use the laid down processes established by law to seek redress to their concerns”.

    A number of civil society organizations and religious groups have urged both parties and their supporters to exercise restraint over the post-election agitations.

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Until Jean Mensa gives NDC back their seats there will be no peace Ashaiman MP

    The Member of Parliament (MP) for Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has indicated that members of the National Democratic Congress will embark on several demonstrations until the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission corrects the abnormalities in the 2020 elections results.

    According to Ernest Henry Norgbey, the party wants back their Sene East and Techiman East seats which they [NDC] alleged was given in favour of the New Patriotic Party.

    They have called on the Electoral Commission to do the needful as they want their votes to be counted.

    “We just organised ourselves to do a peaceful demonstration to show Ghanaians that the people of Ashiaman will not sleep for the incompetence of Jean Mensa to steal the verdict for Nana Akufo-Addo. That is what we are witnessing today, that we want our votes to be counted.” He said.

    “We want our seats; Sene East, Techiman South, and the other seats that were stolen from us back before we get the peace that we want in Ghana. We have all been preaching peace, so why is it that after an election, results are announced for there to be chaos. It means that something untoward happened,” he fumed in an interview with Citi News.

    Some members of the National Democratic Congress have embarked on demonstrations across country after the electoral commission declared Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the winner of the December polls.

    Their protest begun after Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu told supporters the NDC does not accept the results of the presidential elections as announced by the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC) Jean Mensa

    At a press conference Haruna Iddrisu expressed reservations about the way and manner in which the polls were conducted hence, the rejection.

    “We reject the presidential elections as announced by the chair of the Electoral Commission. And we also want to serve notice that the blatant effort even to deny us of a parliamentary majority will be fiercely resisted,” the Tamale South lawmaker said.

    Some supporters in Bolgatanga, Tamale were seen on the streets burning car tyres in disapproval of the election results.

    Some Ashiaman supporters and NDC Women wing also hit the street yesterday to protest against the EC. They are stated that they intend to continuously hold a peace protest until their votes counts.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Election 2020: EC officers who tampered with presidential ballot papers busted

    The two officers of the Electoral Commission who tampered with the Presidential ballot papers in Awutu Senya West and Bawku Central have been arrested and are currently in Police custody.

    The officers are; Mary Adatsi of DAJHS, Twimine B110104A, Awutu Senya West, and Ahmed Shafawu of the Alhaji Salam Grinding Mill polling station, Bawku Central.

    In the case of the Bawku Central, only one of such ballots was used.

    However, in the case of Awutu Senya West, none of the ballots were used.

    This was disclosed by the election management body in a statement.

    Meanwhile, the EC has assured the public that the said offenders will be prosecuted and dealt with by law.

    The electoral officers were caught cutting some candidates off the presidential papers before handing them over to voters to cast their votes.

    Source: Class FM

  • Election 2020: Results were not publicly displayed in 17 polling stations – EU observers

    European Union observers in the just ended Presidential and Parliamentary elections in Ghana have said results were not publicly displayed in 17 polling stations they observed.

    The observers however noted, “voting was conducted in a generally peaceful atmosphere and voting procedures were mostly followed, including the biometric verification of voters”.

    “Furthermore, presiding officers appeared to have difficulties completing the result forms. The polling station result forms were not publicly displayed in 17 polling stations although party agents received signed copy of the result form in all cases,” the EU observers said in their 12-page report on the election.

    The report also praised civil society organisations in the country.

    “Ghanaian civil society has a strong presence and a leading role in electoral observation. Domestic observation is organised, credible and well perceived by stakeholders. The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), a network of 43 organisations advocating for democratic institutional development and human rights, leads the national observation activities.

    “CODEO, with support from the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD Ghana), amongst others, deployed around 4,000 observers on election day. CODEO issued reports on registration, campaigning and incidents, and set up a parallel vote tabulation (PVT) exercise. The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) deployed some 700 observers”.

    It also raised concerns over the collation process in the polls.

    “Collation of results at the constituency level was observed in 35 constituency collation centres with many of them being visited repeatedly. Collation process was less well organised and less transparent often due to a lack of detailed procedures, inadequate facilities and overcrowding which at times led to agents and observers not having a clear view of the procedures and the filling in of result forms.

    “Instances of unrest and tension were observed in Asawase, Sunyani West and Techiman South constituencies. The results were collated in the presence of party agents and observers and key transparency measures were adhered to”.

    Source: Starr FM

  • The entire current EC is a pale shadow of Charlotte Osei – Franklin Cudjoe

    Founding President of IMANI-Africa has fired back at critics who have slammed him for his fierce criticism of Jean Mensa, the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC).

    Franklin Cudjoe has come under verbal attack for criticising the competence of the Electoral Commission following the outcome of the 2020 polls.

    He had slammed the EC after it admitted that the were errors in the declared results for the presidential polls.

    He further described the former EC boss, Charlotte Osei, as a better EC chair compared to Jean Mensa.

    Some persons especially from the NPP have taken him to the cleaners but to these individuals, Mr. Cudjoe says he criticised the former EC chair when he felt some of her decisions were not the best.

    But he believes the former EC chair is far better than the “incompetent” Jean Mensa.

    “Turns out some people think everyone has an autopilot brain. Yes, I criticised Charlotte when some of her decisions were troubling, but compared to the brave bare lies, tender rigging re biometric machines, shameful procurement gigs, and shambolic basic math errors that has generated a crisis of confidence, the entire current EC is a pale shadow of Charlotte! Eat it!! IMANI shall be releasing its own report and recommendations on the conduct of this EC. Enjoy your Sunday.”

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Go to court if you disagree with election results IDEG, CFI to political parties

    The Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) have asked political parties that disagree with the results of the just-ended elections, as announced by the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC) Jean Mensa to go to court to resolve the issues.

    IDEG and CFI said this is the best approach to resolving any election-related dispute.

    The comments come after the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has said he will not accept the results of the elections because in his view, the results were manipulated in favour of Akufo-Addo by the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC) Jean Mensa.

    Addressing the nation on Thursday December 11, the presidential candidate of the NDC said “The facts and figures on the pink sheets available to us indicate that numerous steps have been taken to manipulate the elections in favour of the incumbent.

    “This calls into question the credibility of one of our most important institutional pillars of democracy, the Electoral Commission. It is now obvious to many objective minds that the Commission and its chairperson have been used to manipulate results from the various constituencies and in that process seek to subvert the sovereign will of the Ghana people.”

    He added “Since the inception of the Fourth Republic, final election results have always been declared within a 72hour period to allow for thorough and diligence collation.

    “Surprisingly, this Electoral Commission chairperson announced quite suspiciously for reasons known to her a hurried 24hour deadline which as we all know could not and would not be met.

    “The Chairperson of the EC in less than 24 hours after her declaration has admitted that she made unacceptable errors which go to the heart of the entire electoral process and cast deep doubt on the credibility of the announced outcome.”

    But a joint statement issued by IDEG and CFI on Friday December 11 said “wish to commend Ghanaians for the high turnout and the orderly manner in which the electorate exercised their franchise on December 7. We further wish to commend the Electoral Commission and the political parties for their role in delivering relatively peaceful election. We however observed with growing concern that both the presidential and parliamentary elections results have stoked partisan controversy with both sides claiming victory.

    “The disputed results have raised questions about the credibility of the outcome of the elections which can only be resolved in a court of law. Accordingly, we urge the aggrieved parties to resort to the court system to deal with the disputed aspects of the results instead of resorting to violence. The public has the right to know the truth about any discrepancies relating to the results because this election was the best opportunity for the electorate to exercise their sovereign right.

    “The courts have the mandate and the tools to investigate, review and resolve any election related disputes based on the evidence provided in a transparent manner. Moreover, the supreme court is not only an avenue for peaceful resolution of election conflicts, but also clarifying electoral rules and regulations in order to improve electoral standards and advance critical reforms in the electoral system as demonstrated by the supreme court of Ghana in 2013.

    “In the meantime, we appeal to the leaders and supporters of the two parties, to conduct themselves peacefully, mindful of the commitments their presidential candidates made by signing the Presidential Election Peace Pact on Thursday 4th December 2020 at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel, Accra. In this pact, the leaders pledged: That we hereby commit ourselves and our supporters to peaceful elections in the December 2020 general elections; That we undertake to accept the results of the said elections; That we undertake to restrain our supporters from resorting to violence in the aftermath of the said elections; and That we are committed to the Judicial resolution of all election disputes.”

    “Furthermore, we appeal to the National Chief Imam, the National Peace Council and the National House of Chiefs to engage and ensure that the Electoral Commission acts expeditiously on all complaints and encourage the parties to go to court as they have committed in the peace pact agreement.”

    “Finally, we appeal to all Ghanaians including our vibrant youth to honor the memory of the founding father of the Fourth Republic, former President Jerry John Rawlings, by maintaining the peace, stability and security of the nation. Going forward, we entreat that collectively as a nation, we renounce violence as an option for resolving electoral disputes.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Jean Mensa has not travelled outside Ghana – EC debunks rumours

    The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Jean Mensa, has not travelled outside the country after declaring the election 2020 presidential results, the Commission has said.

    This follows recent rumours that the EC Chairperson together with her deputies sought refuge in another country following the official declaration on December 9, 2020.

    In a statement released on Friday December 11, the Commission states unequivocally that Jean Mensa and her commissioners are still at post dispensing their duties as expected.

    “We wish to state that Mrs. Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, as well as all the Commissioners are at post discharging their legally mandated duties…,” the statement read in part.

    The EC has also, in the same vein, branded reports suggesting that commissioners had travelled outside Ghana absolute falsehood.

    The EC Chairperson has come under attack for what has been widely described as error-riddled election result which she announced to Ghanaians on Wednesday.

    Read full statement below;

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Electoral Commission declaration tantamount to illegality John Mahama

    Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the just-ended elections John Dramani Mahama insists the results are “flawed and discredited”.

    He also says the declaration by the Chair of the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) on Wednesday is a violation of the law.

    He said Jean Mensa declared over 100 percent of the results, a clear case of a wrongful act.

    “On account of this, my party is confident that what has happened is a violation of the law. It is a violation of due process and, therefore, tantamount to an illegality.”
    The former president expressed these sentiments as he addressed journalists on Thursday, December 10.

    It comes a day after Mrs Mensa declared the presidential results in favour of incumbent Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    According to Mr Mahama, who was president between 2012 and 2017, the EC fell for the influence of state machinery controlled by President Akufo-Addo as the Commission engaged in “blatant attempts at rigging”.

    To him, this has taken the credibility of the Commission to an all-time low.

    “It is also a violation of an understanding we hold dear in this country, an understanding that this is not dictatorship or a monarchy run by a single family for the benefit of a family.

    “Ghana belongs to the people of Ghana, all of the people of Ghana.”

    He, therefore, announced his intention to challenge the results.

    “We will take legitimate steps to reverse this travesty of justice.

    “There is no doubt that every Ghanaian in this country voted for change. We did so both in the presidential and parliamentary elections.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Electoral Commission declaration tantamount to illegality John Mahama

    Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the just-ended elections John Dramani Mahama insists the results are “flawed and discredited”.

    He also says the declaration by the Chair of the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) on Wednesday is a violation of the law.

    He said Jean Mensa declared over 100 percent of the results, a clear case of a wrongful act.

    “On account of this, my party is confident that what has happened is a violation of the law. It is a violation of due process and, therefore, tantamount to an illegality.”
    The former president expressed these sentiments as he addressed journalists on Thursday, December 10.

    It comes a day after Mrs Mensa declared the presidential results in favour of incumbent Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

    According to Mr Mahama, who was president between 2012 and 2017, the EC fell for the influence of state machinery controlled by President Akufo-Addo as the Commission engaged in “blatant attempts at rigging”.

    To him, this has taken the credibility of the Commission to an all-time low.

    “It is also a violation of an understanding we hold dear in this country, an understanding that this is not dictatorship or a monarchy run by a single family for the benefit of a family.

    “Ghana belongs to the people of Ghana, all of the people of Ghana.”

    He, therefore, announced his intention to challenge the results.

    “We will take legitimate steps to reverse this travesty of justice.

    “There is no doubt that every Ghanaian in this country voted for change. We did so both in the presidential and parliamentary elections.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Election 2020: NPP gains 137 seats, NDC 136 in Parliament Electoral Commission

    The Electoral Commission has announced the certified Parliamentary results of the 2020 election across 275 constituencies.

    According to a statement issued by the EC on Thursday, December 10, 2020, the New Patriotic Party has won 137 seats in Parliament while the National Democratic Congress has won 136 seats.

    One independent candidate has however won a seat in Parliament while one outstanding result is yet to be provided from the Sene West Constituency.

    The Ashanti Region gained the most seats with 42 won for the NPP while the NDC gained 20 seats from the Greater Accra Region.

    Ghanaians went to the polls on December 7, 2020, for the eighth time since 1992 to elect a President and 275 Members of Parliament as part of a four-year constitutional mandate.

    Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Jean Mensa on Wednesday, December 9, announced that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party polled 6,730,413, representing 51.595 percent while John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress garnered 6,214,889 representing 47.366 percent in the 8th election in the 4th Republic that had 12 candidates.

    See the full results by the Electoral Commission below:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • EC’s computational errors have tainted the credibility of 2020 polls – Research Group

    A research institution named Research and Grant Institute of Ghana (REGIG) has raised concerns over the declared results for the presidential election saying the EC must provide answers over anomalies they have detected.

    The independent and non-governmental organization dedicated to the generation, dissemination, and utilization of research and data in Ghana and beyond, in an analysis released, said the results and details provided by the EC is questionable.

    “As researchers and data scientists, we are particular about the validity and reliability of the methodology used to obtain data. As we will be using the data for research purposes, it is extremely important we know the data curation process, as well as steps taken to rectify data anomalies. We call on the EC to take steps to provide answers to the pressing issues contained in this press release as we work together to strengthen our democratic institutions with data and science.”

    The EC on Thursday issued a statement admitting an error in the declared results.

    The Electoral Commission has clarified that its Chairperson, Jean Mensa, “inadvertently used 13,433,573 as the total valid votes cast.”

    “The total valid votes cast is 13,119,460. This does not change the percentages stated for each candidate and the declaration made by the Chairperson,” the EC said in the statement issued Thursday, December 10, 2020.

    The statement is coming after some top members of the NDC raised questions over the credibility of the percentage given the candidates.

    Reading to this, the institute said: “While the response from the EC is very timely, there are several lingering questions relating to the credibility of the presidential election results that researchers, data scientists, policy makers and political stakeholders demand answers for. This is particularly important given that the error was not limited to the total number of valid votes cast but also the total number of valid votes obtained by each candidate and their corresponding percentages.

    a. What accounted for the gross computational error in the results declared by the EC on the 9th of December, 2020?

    b. Was the result computed manually or an automated statistical software was used? If statistical software was used, what software was used and what could have contributed to such anomalies? If manual computation was used, how was it done and by who?

    c. Did the EC audit or verify the accuracy of the results prior to the declaration? How much due diligence was undertaken and by who?
    d. When did the EC notice the anomaly? Was it before, during and after the declaration of the result? How did the anomaly come to the attention to the EC? Was it an internal check or external prompt?

    e. What were the reasons behind or factors that contributed to some candidates recording an increase in votes whereas for others, there was a decrease in the number of valid votes obtained in the revised results released by the EC on 10th December 2020?

    f. What is the integrity of the supposed revised presidential results for advancing statistical discourses relating to the 2020 presidential election in Ghana published by the EC on 10th December 2020? What processes were adopted in revising the results?

    Source: rainbowradioonline.com

  • Over 3.5 million Ghanaians failed to vote in 2020 polls

    Data from the Electoral Commission (EC) shows that the 2020 parliamentary and presidential election ended with a 79 percent voter turnout.

    The EC disclosed that out of the total number of 17,027,641 registered voters on the electoral roll 13,434,857 of them turned up at the polling centres to exercise their franchise on election day.

    This implies that 3,592,784 voters did not vote.

    Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Mensa announced this during her declaration of the final results of the presidential election on Wednesday [December 9, 2020] evening.

    “The election was conducted in 38,622 polling stations across the country and in 275 constituencies. At the end of the transparent, fair, orderly, timely and peaceful Presidential Elections, the total number of valid votes cast was 13,432,857 representing 79% of the total registered voters”, she said.

    Further details show the total valid votes in the polls were 13,119,460.

    Total rejected ballots were 313,397 representing 2.333 per cent of the total votes.

    Comparison with 216 polls 

    In the 2016 elections, the total registered voters were 15,712,499. Out of this number, however, those who voted were 10,880,999.

    This data translated into 69.25 per cent voter turnout in the last election.

    The total number of valid votes then was 10,713,650.

    However, 167,346 of these votes representing 1.54 were recorded as invalid

    Distribution of 2020 votes

    The sitting President, Akufo-Addo obtained 6,730,587 votes, representing 51.30% while his main contender, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama followed suite with 6,213,182, representing 47.36% of the total ballots cast.

    Christian Kwabena Andrews, the flagbearer of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) placed third in the race, garnering 105,548 votes, representing 0.80% of the total ballots cast.

    The Returning Officer of the 2020 presidential election, Jean Mensa, also announced the figures exclude results from the Techiman South constituency which is currently under dispute.

    Below is the full list of the results from the 2020 elections as announced by the EC:

    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) 6,730,587  (51.302%)

    John Dramani Mahama (NDC) 6,213,182 (47.359%)

    Christian Kwabena Andrews (GUM) 105,548  (0.805%)

    Ivor Kobina Greenstreet (CPP) 12,200 (0.093%)

    Akua Donkor (GFP) 5,574  (0.024%)

    Henry Herbert Lartey (GCPP) 3,564 (0.027%)

    Hassan Ayariga (APC) 7,138 (0.054%)

    Percival Kofi Akpaloo (LPG) 7,683 (0.059%)

    David Asibi Ayindenaba Apasera (PNC) 10,882 (0.083%)

    Brigitte Akosua Dzogbenuku (PPP) 6,849 (0.052%)

    Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (NDP) 6,549 (0.050%)

    Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker (Independent candidate) 9,704 (0.074%)

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Rojo Mettle Nunoo was not thrown out of national collation centre EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has described as “surprising” reports that National Democratic Congress representative Rojo Mettle Nunoo was thrown out of the national collation centre on Tuesday, 8 December 2020.

    According to the EC, the report is “false.”

    “Mr Rojo Mettle Nunoo was never at any point driven out of the national collation centre. This allegation comes as a surprise to the Commission,” the election management body said in a statement.

    Read the full statement below:

    Source: Class FM

  • EC revises disparities in presidential election results percentages

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana has explained some disparities in the December 7 presidential election results percentages which was declared by the Chairperson of the Commission on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.

    The EC in a statement stated that, Jean Mensa â€œinadvertently used 13,433,573 as the total valid votes cast.”

    “The total valid votes cast is 13,119,460. This does not change the percentages stated for each candidate and the declaration made by the Chairperson,” a statement from the EC issued Thursday morning, December 10, 2020, said.

    Jean Mensa on Wednesday, December 9, announced that, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo polled 6,730,413, representing 51.595% while John Mahama garnered 6, 214, 889 representing 47.366% in the 8th election in the 4th Republic that had a dozen candidates.

    The result, the Chairperson noted “exclude that of the Techiman South Constituency, with a voter population of 1 hundred and 28 thousand and 18 (128,018). The said election results are not ready because they are being contested. As such collation is not complete. The difference between the total number of votes between by the first and second candidates is 5 hundred and 15 thousand, 5 hundred and 24 votes (515,524)”.

    “As a result, even if we added the 1 hundred and 28 thousand and 18 (128,018) to the results of the 2nd candidate, it would not change the outcome of the Presidential Election. Hence our declaration of the 2020 results without that of Techiman South”.

    “If we were to add the results from Techiman South Constituency, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would obtain 50.8% of the votes and John Dramani Mahama, would obtain 47.873% of the votes”.

    The EC has since provided a summary of the 2020 presidential election results without the Techiman South constituency.

    The percentages are as follows:

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • Absence of Techiman South collation results will not influence presidential verdict EC

    Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa says the declaration of Nana Akufo-Addo as President-elect will not be affected by the absence of Techiman South Constituency collated results.

    According to the returning officer of the Presidential election, the collation will not make any difference to the existing percentage and vote cast by the electorate.

    “A collation of all results from the Techiman South Constituency added to the percentage and vote of the second candidate, John Dramani Mahama would be a percentage of 47.873% of total vote cast.

    “And Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo would obtain 50.8% of the total vote cast.

    “It is on that basis that we say the outcome of the election will not change, hence our declaration of the 2020 Presidential result without that of Techiman South,” she said.

    Madam Jean Mensa announced the verdict using the existing Presidential results of 270 out of 275 constituencies, with Akufo-Addo gaining 51.17% and John Mahama winning 47.46%.

    The returning officer moved to declare Akufo-Addo as President-elect of the Republic of Ghana.

    She used the opportunity to caution Ghanaians to let “peace reign”.

    Source: myjoyonline

  • Election 2020: Full list of presidential results

    The Returning Officer for the just-ended 2020 general election, Jean Mensa, has declared Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the President of Ghana for the next four years.

    This was after she announced the results of 274 out of 275 constituencies in the country, leaving out the Techiman South constituency.

    According to the Electoral Commission, the total number of valid votes cast was 13,434,574 representing 79% of total registered voters.

    The sitting President, Akufo-Addo obtained 6,730,413 votes, representing 51.59% while his main contender, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama followed suite with 6,214,889, representing 47.36% of the total ballots cast.

    Christian Kwabena Andrews, the flagbearer of the Ghana Union Movement (GUM) placed third in the race, garnering 105,565 votes, representing 0.80% of the total ballots cast.

    Below is the full list of the results from the 2020 elections as announced by the EC:

    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) 6,730,413 (51.595%)

    John Dramani Mahama (NDC) 6,214,889 (47.366%)

    Christian Kwabena Andrews (GUM) 105,565 (0.805%)

    Ivor Kobina Greenstreet (CPP) 12,215 (0.093%)

    Akua Donkor (GFP) 5,575 (0.024%)

    Henry Herbert Lartey (GCPP) 3,574 (0.027%)

    Hassan Ayariga (APC) 7,140 (0.054%)

    Percival Kofi Akpaloo (LPG) 7,690 (0.059%)

    David Asibi Ayindenaba Apasera (PNC) 10,887 (0.083%)

    Brigitte Akosua Dzogbenuku (PPP) 6,848 (0.052%)

    Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings (NDP) 6,612 (0.050%)

    Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker (Independent candidate) 9,703 (0.074%)

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Election 2020: Show integrity in outstanding electoral processes CSOs to EC

    Some Civil Society Organizations have called on the Electoral Commission to show integrity in the declaration of the results.

    “We call on all the leadership and staff of the Electoral Commission to remain responsible, tolerant and continue to show a high level of integrity in all the outstanding processes.”

    The CSOs coalition which comprises Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), IMANI-Ghana, Penplusbytes, Citizens Movement Against Corruption (CMaC), Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Ghana Integrity Initiative, Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), SEND Ghana and Renel Ghana Foundation (RGF) commended Ghanaians and the Electoral Commission on the peaceful conduct of the general election irrespective of the reports of violence in a few areas.

    In a statement issued by the group, they advised the two major political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP), to “get their members to stay calm, while we wait for the Electoral Commission to provide all the certified results and make the final declaration.”

    They also encouraged the parties to desist from holding further press conferences and allow the EC to work.

    Click here to read the full statement

    Source: citinewsroom

  • No NDC party agent was ejected from national collation centre EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has dismissed claims that a representative of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Rojo Mettle Nunoo was ejected from the national collation centre on Tuesday.

    The Commission in a statement said, “Rojo Mettle Nunoo was never at any point driven out of the national collation centre.”

    It added that is taken aback by such a claim.

    “The allegation comes as a surprise to the Commission. Mr Rojo Mettle Nunoo has comported himself and cooperated with the staff of the Commission and other Political Party Agents throughout the process of validating the results coming from the Regional Collation Centres and has expressed no concerns with the certified results released so far.”

    The election management body further indicated that the National collation centre has been “peaceful and cordial throughout the process.”

    Below is the full statement;

    Source: citinewsroom

  • Stop declaring election results, its not your job GJA warns media houses

    The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has cautioned all media houses to refrain from declaring the results of the just-ended general elections held on Monday, December 7, 2020.

    The Association reminded the media that the declaration of the election results is a constitutional mandate assigned to only the Electoral Commission (EC).

    In a press release signed by the GJA President, Affail Monney, it noted that the media can only report certified results by the EC as well as make projections but do not have the power to adjudge any political party the winner in the presidential race.

    The release stressed that “as the nation awaits the result declaration by the EC and as the two leading political parties make claims and counterclaims, the GJA urges the media to use their platforms to cool down tension and calm the nerves of Ghanaians. The GJA believes at this critical moment, the media must play a constructive role rather than inflame passion or act in an untoward manner that may lead to the disturbance of the peace.”

    “After the declaration of the results, the media must focus on and promote the acceptance of the results by all and the need to foster national security. These are the charges the media have to keep and they must not dare not fail the nation.”

    This warning comes after some media conglomerates declared NPP’s Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as the winner of the presidential race.

    .

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • NDC will resist any alteration of results Minority Leader

    The Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu, has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will resist any attempt to change the Techiman South parliamentary results.

    In a press briefing at the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC), the re-elected Tamale South Member of Parliament said the governing party is using military officers to intimidate electoral officers to recount the ballots in the process to change results in their favour.

    “The military cannot intimidate us with their guns,” he said.

    He added that it is illegal to recount the results at a polling station.

    “It is not legally permissible to do recount at collation centres and using the military to intimidate for a recount.

    “Collation centres are centres for aggregation of polls from polling stations. They are not to be used for the purpose of recounting.”

    Source: 3 News

  • Recounting of votes at collation centre unlawful NDC

    The National Democratic Congress has expressed dismay over what it describes as “unwarranted recounting of votes” at some collation centres across the nation.

    The Party said such acts did not only contravene the laws that governed the electoral process but also caused “undue delay in collating the results.”

    Speaking at a fourth update by the Party on the December polls, Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the NDC, said laws governing the polls only allowed recounting to be done at polling stations.

    He said the law only permitted recounting at a collation centre if a dissatisfied agent(s) had filed complaint sheet challenging the results of the ballots cast.

    The General Secretary said it was, therefore, surprising that many collation centres continued to allow recount even though no such formal complaint had been filed by party agents at polling station levels.

    “In fact, the process of recounting cannot be initiated at the collation centre at all, the law is very very clear. If at the polling station you disagree with any result you will call for a recount at the polling station. And the Presiding Officer must comply for the first time,” he said.

    “If you are not satisfied, you can call for a second recount, if the presiding officer disagrees with you, then you indicate that you want the content of a particular ballot box to be recounted at the collation centre. It is only there and then that a box can be reopened at a collation centre for a recount.”

    “We wish to report that out of the 275 constituencies, the NDC has won 141. That put us in a clear majority and will be giving John Mahama the needed majority in Parliament to be able to conduct his business as President.”

    “What the clear majority means in a Parliamentary term is that the NDC will be selecting the next Speaker of Parliament, the First Deputy Speaker will be selecting all Chairmen of parliamentary select and standing committees. That gives us absolute control of the house,” he added.

    Source: GNA

  • Be patient and allow EC to declare election results NCCE

    The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), has entreated all political parties and Ghanaians to exercise restraint in their actions and words as they await the electoral results from the Electoral Commission

    “The Commission entreats all political parties and the general public to be measured in their utterances and actions as well as exercise restraint and allow the Electoral Commission to perform its constitutional mandate of declaring the election results.”

    The counting of ballots started yesterday, December 7, 2020, after the voting process ended at about 5 pm nationwide and is currently ongoing.

    In a statement released by the NCCE, the commission expressed concern over the isolated reports of violence that happened in a few places.

    Isolated reports of violence

    ï‚· Alleged shooting incident at the Step to Christ Polling Centre in the Awutu Senya-East
    Constituency, where a journalist was injured.
    ï‚· Alleged shooting of a journalist at Ablekuma Central Constituency
    ï‚· Alleged shooting of a ballot box snatcher at Obrachire in the Awutu Senya West
    Constituency.
    ï‚· Death of two and injuring of one person after an alleged shooting incident at the Modak
    Hotel, Korley Wokon in the Odododiodio Constituency. Gunshots at the City Engineers
    cluster of Polling stations also in the Odododiodioo Constituency.
    ï‚· Burning down of the Electoral Commission office in the Fomena Constituency.

    They stated that: “the NCCE commends the Security Services for the efforts of maintaining law and order before, during, and after the close of polls. The NCCE further calls on the Election Security Taskforce to step up efforts to protect and preserve our national peace in order to maintain and jealously guard the gains made in our democratic journey.”

    Click here to read the full statement

    Source: citinewsroom

  • EC receives 14 presidential results, seven certified so far

    The Electoral Commission has released the results from seven regions.

    The Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa announced at a press conference that they have received presidential results from fourteen of the sixteen regions.

    She stated a press conference held on Wednesday, December 9, 2020, that they are currently working to certify the remaining seven regional results they have obtained.

    The commission is yet to receive election results from the Northern and the Bono East Regions.

    “As we speak, the Commission has received 14 out of the 16 regional results. We have the national collation centre where we have had representatives of the various political parties since yesterday. As the results come in, the party representatives review them against what they themselves have received from the regions and once they are satisfied that the results that have come to us from the regions are a true reflection of what they have received, they then append their signatures to it before the results are brought to my attention. As returning officer of the 2020 presidential election, I then certify these results. Out of the 14 results received, we have certified seven up to date”, she noted.

    See the certified seven regional results released by the Electoral Commission in the post below

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • EC releases presidential election results from 7 regions

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has said that it has received results from 14 regions and out of that, seven of them have been certified.

    The remaining seven results are going through the certification process and would be released immediately that is done.

    The Chairperson of the EC, Mrs Jean Mensa made this known at a press briefing on Wednesday dawn [December 9, 2020] at 12:30 am.

    She mentioned the two remaining regions where results are still outstanding as Bono East and Northern.

    The seven regions where the results have been certified and released are Volta, North East, Central, Ahafo, Upper West, Oti and Bono.

    Those outstanding are Ashanti, Eastern, Western, Western North, Upper East, Greater Accra and Savannah.

    A total of the results from the seven regions are as follows:

    Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) 1,500,310

    John Dramani Mahama (NDC) 1,997,450

    Below are copies of the regional results released by the EC

    Source: graphic.com.gh

  • Duncan-Williams, Peace Council, NCCE chairpersons spotted at EC office

    Reverend Nicholas Duncan-Williams of the Action Chapel, the chairman of the National Peace Council, Reverend Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, the chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) Josephine Osei, and observers from some international organizations have been spotted at the premises of the Electoral Commission.

    GhanaWeb has been told that these highly revered persons who are key figures in ensuring peace and stability in the country arrived at the EC premise in the late hours of Tuesday, December 8.

    GhanaWeb can report that the leadership of the Electoral Commission are in meeting with the aforementioned figures.

    It is understood that a press conference will be held after the meeting where the EC will update Ghanaians on progress made so far.

    Source: www.ghanaweb.com

  • ECOWAS, AU, UNOWAS commend Ghana for peaceful election

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has commended Ghana for the conduct of a peaceful election on Monday, December 7.

    A joint statement issued by ECOWAS, African Union and the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) also urged political stakeholders and citizens to exercise patience and remain calm even as the Electoral Commission was yet to announce the final official results.

    The statement also urged the two leading political parties; NPP and NDC, to respect the spirit and letter of the Peace Pact they signed on December 4 and ensure that the peace of the country was preserved.

    “Furthermore, we appeal to political parties and their followers to refrain from any conduct that may undermine the successful conclusion of the electoral process. We also call on state institutions to continue to carry out their responsibilities with professionalism and transparency,” it added.

    Below is the full statement

    Source: Graphic.com.gh

  • Shai Osudoku incumbent MP retains seat

    For the second consecutive time, Madam Linda Akweley Ocloo, the incumbent parliamentary candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Shai-Osudoku in the Greater Accra Region, has won the parliamentary seat.

    She polled 32,526 votes out of the 48,416 valid votes cast.

    Her only contender, Mr Benjamin Nargeh of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), obtained 15,900 of total valid votes cast.

    The Returning Officer, Mr Philip Avuduahor, who declared the polls, thanked all stakeholders, especially the District Chief Executive, Mr Daniel Akuffo, for the peaceful environment within which the polls were conducted.

    He mentioned the voter population as 69,904 with voter turnout of 48, 055 and rejected ballot 1,126.

    On the Presidential slot, the NDC Flagbearer, former President John Dramani Mahama, won by 34,555 out of a total valid votes of 48,055, while President Nana Akufo Addo, leader of the New Patriotic Party, won by 12,920 votes.

    Of the 12 presidential candidates, the next to pull a surprise was the first-timer, Mr Christian Kwabena Andrew of the Ghana Union Movement, who polled 395 votes with all others polling less than 50 votes.

    In her victory speech, Madam Ocloo thanked all stakeholders who contributed to her success.

    She said it was her yearning desire that the NDC Flagbearer would win the slot to enable her to achieve the developmental objectives of the constituency.

    Madam Ocloo said in the next administration, her major priorities would be to focus on the youth and roads.

    She said she had trained about 600 youths in skills development adding that she sought to widen the scope.

    The MP charged the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly to release the Common Fund on time to enable her to deliver on her mandate.

    Source: GNA

  • EC extends timeline to declare presidential results

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has extended the 24-hour timeline it set for itself to announce the results of the presidential election.

    The Commission in a statement explained that the extension is to ensure that collation of results at the constituency and regional collation centres across the country are accurate.

    According to the Commission, the new timeline will be communicated in due time.

    The Jean Mensa-led EC further reiterated its commitment to conduct an election of transparency, integrity and fairness.

    “As such, to ensure that the declared Presidential results are 100% accurate and reflective of the will of the people, the Commission entreats the public and all stakeholders to exercise patience as the collation process continues in the presence of political party agents and election observers,” the statement read.

    The Commission also commended voters for coming out in their numbers to participate in the electoral process.

    Source: myjoyonline.com