NDC Criticizes EC’s Re-Collation Process Amid Election Disputes
After the general elections on December 7th, 2024 in Ghana, the Electoral Commission (EC) chose to re-count the remaining nine parliamentary constituencies which the two main contenders the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has disputed. The re collation to resolve the electoral issues comes after a directive from the High Court but the NDC accompanied by it’s National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi has raised serious concern over the legitimacy and fairness of the exercise.
Electoral Divisions That Need Re-Compilation
The constituencies involved in the re-collation are Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Ahafo Ano South West, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Techiman South, Dome-Kwabenya, and Tema Central. These provinces, which earlier complained over the initial count, have been chosen for re-counting to ensure that no party is deprived of a fair shake at the election. The EC action results from another court ruling to deal with electoral injustices and restore voting public confidence in the electoral process.
However, the NDC has raised political controversy on the re-collation process, alleging that it forcefully owned by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). The party has described the actions of the EC in their view to be in support of the NPP and suppressing the electoral franchise of the people.
Sammy Gyamfi’s Criticism
The NDC’s National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi has not been silent in his condemnation of the EC’s re-collation. Gyamfi, in a statement released in his official X (formerly Twitter) handle took a jab at he re-collation exercise which he labelled as a cantata since it was staged by the NPP-sponsored EC. Gyamfi noted his opinion whether or not the re-collation was plausible to him by stating, “Comrades, he who laughs last, laughs best. Skip the so called ‘cantata’ exercise known as ‘re collation’ that is being spear headed by the NPP sponsored EC. The joke will be on us after the January 7 election. Chill!”
This statement quickly puts down the NDC’s view that the re-collation exercise was unlawful and shows that the party will use the legal system to fight these results. However, the NDC has calm its supporters and called them to wait and see when the legal processes are complete.
Legal Opportunities and Sources of Legitimacy
The NDC main focus of attention is more particularly related to the impartiality of the EC and the fairness of the re-collation process. The party says that they should follow the Ghana election laws in handling election disputes. The NDC has urged citizens to protest through the courts rather than protesting on the streets of the country.
Despite acknowledging the fact that the re–collation process is greatly problematic the NDC party does not renounce legal recourse. In this respect, the NDC is concerned about the transition after the next presidential election and the inauguration of the president-elect, John Dramani Mahama in the next year, January 7, 2025. The NDC believes that the swearing in of Mahama will clear the issues of election and be a turning point for this party.
READ ALSO: Patrick Boakye Yiadom Confirmed Winner of Obuasi East Seat After Re-Collation
NPP’s Growing Confidence
Meanwhile, the NPP has made known its satisfaction with the re-count exercise that has so far lead to re-ouncement of some parliamentary seats in the party’s favour. This outcome has enhanced rivalry between the two central political parties due to NDC’s seen the re-count as a way of attaining more parliamentary seats for the NPP.
However, according to the NPP, the re-collation process is still very relevant so as to clear any doubt on the accuracy of the results. The party has remained sympathetic with the efforts of the EC, which it considers a genuine way of solving the disputed seats.
Asking for peace and democratic integrity
Each of the two leading political parties, the NDC and NPP, has urged political supporters not to use force to ferry their agenda and abide by the rules of democracy. Still Ghana’s political environment now is highly tensed and both parties are calling on their supporters not to engage in any destructive activities.
Ghanas consistent electoral progression has attracted the attention of international observers. The international actors remain cognizant of the need to support the legitimacy of the institutions of the country’s democracy despite the disturbances to the election. The EC has come out to dismiss the public concern saying that it upholds the principles of transparency and the rule of law in order to solve all the problems in fair and just manner.
The Road Ahead
In light of the re-collation process still under process and the court cases, Ghana future political situation is still volatile. While expressing strong criticisms and indictments of the re-collation campaigns, NDC still looks forward to the legal definitive of the challenged constituencies. In the meantime, both parties are waiting for the final verdict which will have enormous impact on political future of the Ghana .
Given the fact that a new President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama is slated for inauguration in January, 2025 the re-collation exercise still remain important political playground. The effortsmade by Ghana in protecting the rule of law and the electoral process will play an important role in popular confidence and stabilization of political situation in Ghana.
The recent recompiling of result of election in argued over constituencies has elicited fierce responses from both the NPP and the NDC in view of the Ghanas 2024 general elections. As the democracy in the country comes under pressure, all focus is still towards the Electoral Commission and how it will conduct the re – collation exercise plus how it is aiming at providing a proper solution to the complaints raised concerning the votes. By the time this book is in circulation, Ghana must be preparing to inaugurate President-elect Mahama in January 2025 The final results of these re-collations will be vital to the political future of Ghana.