As Ghana prepares for the 2024 general elections, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has urged political parties to avoid announcing electoral results before the Electoral Commission (EC), emphasising the importance of maintaining order and trust in the electoral process.
Speaking at the 2024/2025 Annual General Meeting of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) on Monday, September 9, President Akufo-Addo highlighted the critical role of the Electoral Commission in overseeing the country's elections.
He noted that the EC must operate with impartiality, independence, and integrity to ensure fairness for all parties and accurate representation of the will of the people. "The Electoral Commission as a body charged with overseeing the electoral process has a critical role to play.
It should act with impartiality, independence and integrity in ensuring that the process is fair to all parties and the result reflects the true will of the people. "The commission should also ensure that all logistical arrangements are in place to facilitate a smooth process and that any disputes that may arise are handled judiciously and transparently. "It is imperative that the Electoral Commission remains the sole authority responsible for the declaring election results to preserve the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
Political parties must refrain from declaring results before the electoral commission does so as this can lead to confusion, misinformation and even potential conflicts. "The EC's role as an impartial and independent body ensures that its results reflect the will of the people, free from partisan influence," he stated.