Ningo Prampram MP Slams EC’s Decision to Suspend Parliamentary Results Collation, Warns of Consequences
In the aftermath of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to suspend the re-collation of parliamentary results for several constituencies in Ghana, the controversy has taken a new turn. Sam Nartey George, the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, has lashed out at the Commission, vowing that the pronouncement of the disputed seats cannot be changed and urging the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to seek legal redress.
The EC’s decision, announced in a press release on December 13, came amidst escalating differences among political parties at the National Police Training School in Tesano, Accra, claiming that the re-collation exercise was intended to address issues that arose during the initial collation of results on Election Day, where according to them, the process did not follow the legal procedures as outlined in the Commission’s regulations (C.I. 127). The EC noted that exercise was also meant to address constituencies where the collation could not be completed on Election Day.
However, the suspension of the re-collation process has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. Sam Nartey George, a prominent figure in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, has vehemently rejected the EC’s decision, accusing the Commission of overstepping its bounds.
“The EC has no locus to take that decision, and we will not accept it,” George asserted when he appeared on “Key Points” on TV3 on Saturday. He insisted that the declaration of the disputed seats cannot be changed, arguing that the best course of action for the NPP is to seek legal redress in the courts, which the party had previously advocated for when the NDC had issues.
George’s scathing criticism of the EC’s move reflects the growing concerns among opposition parties and civil society organizations about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. The suspension of the re-collation exercise has further fueled the ongoing political tensions in Ghana, raising questions about the EC’s ability to manage the post-election period effectively.
In its press release, the EC cited “disruptions of our collation processes by Political Party supporters on Election Day and the days following” as the primary reason for the suspension. The Commission explained that it had informed the political parties about the change in location to the Tesano Police Training Depot, which was agreed upon with the Inspector General of Police and his team.
The EC noted that the agents of the political parties had observed the process the previous day, which resulted in the collation and declaration of results for the Fanteakwa North, Akwatia, Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Suhum constituencies, Ablekuma North, Dome-Kwabenya, Obuasi East and Tema Central.
However, George’s response suggests that the NDC is not convinced by the EC’s explanation. The Ningo Prampram MP has accused the Commission of bowing to political pressure and compromising the integrity of the electoral process. He has described the suspension as a “desperate attempt” by the EC to subvert the will of the Ghanaian people and deny them their rightful representatives in Parliament.
Furthermore, George argued that the EC had no right to initiate the re-collation of results in the first place, as the declaration of the election results is the sole responsibility of the returning officers in each constituency. He contended that the EC was overstepping its boundaries by usurping the powers of the returning officers and bringing the disputed results to Accra for re-collation.
“The EC has no locus to take that decision, and we will not accept it,” George emphasized. He insisted that the declaration of the disputed seats cannot be changed, as the returning officers have already fulfilled their constitutional mandate, assuring that those MPs-elect will surely be sworn-in on the 7th of January, 2025.
The controversy surrounding the re-collation exercise is the latest in a series of disputes that have plagued Ghana’s electoral landscape in the aftermath of the 2020 general elections. The country, widely regarded as a beacon of democratic stability in West Africa, is now facing a critical test of its democratic institutions and processes.
George’s comments echo the growing concerns among opposition parties and civil society organizations about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. He has argued that the EC’s decision undermines the fundamental principles of democracy and the right of citizens to have their votes accurately counted and represented.
The NDC MP has vowed to take legal action to challenge the EC’s decision, warning that nothing can change the declaration of the disputed seats. He has accused the NPP of “running away from the same courts” that they had previously advocated for when the NDC had issues.
The stakes are high in this ongoing dispute, as the outcome could have significant implications for the country’s political landscape and the future of its democratic institutions. The ability of the EC to navigate this complex and contentious post-election period with impartiality and credibility will be a defining factor in Ghana’s continued democratic progress.
As the situation continues to unfold, the international community and domestic observers have called for calm and restraint from all political actors. They have emphasized the need for the EC to uphold its constitutional mandate and ensure that the electoral process is transparent, inclusive, and respectful of the will of the Ghanaian people.
The coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the future of Ghana’s democracy. The country’s political leaders and electoral authorities must work together to resolve the current impasse and restore public confidence in the electoral process. Failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democratic stability and its standing in the international community.
Furthermore, the controversy has raised broader questions about the role and authority of the EC in the electoral process. George’s assertion that the Commission has overstepped its boundaries by initiating the re-collation exercise and now suspending it has highlighted the need for a clear delineation of the EC’s powers and responsibilities.
The NDC MP has argued that the declaration of election results is the sole prerogative of the returning officers in each constituency, and that the EC is not empowered to intervene in this process. He has accused the Commission of usurping the authority of the returning officers and undermining the principles of decentralized electoral management.
This debate over the EC’s role and its adherence to the rule of law has resonated with many observers, who have called for a thorough review of the electoral legal framework and the institutional arrangements that govern the conduct of elections in Ghana. The country’s democratic progress, they argue, depends on the ability of the EC to operate within clearly defined boundaries and with complete impartiality.
As the political tensions continue to simmer, the calls for a transparent and credible resolution to the current impasse have grown louder. The international community and domestic stakeholders have urged the Ghanaian authorities to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that the will of the people is respected.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the trajectory of Ghana’s democracy. The country’s political leaders and electoral institutions must demonstrate their commitment to the rule of law, the independence of the electoral process, and the protection of the citizens’ right to freely choose their representatives. Failure to do so could have far-reaching consequences for Ghana’s standing as a beacon of democratic stability in the region
Source: Innocent Samuel Appiah
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