President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on political parties to refrain from prematurely declaring election results ahead of the December polls.
This, he explained could lead to confusion, misinformation and even potential conflict.
Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) conference in Kumasi on September 9, he said it is important to leave the result declaration solely to the Electoral Commission (EC) which is responsible for that.
"It is imperative that the Electoral Commission remains the sole authority responsible for 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."
According to him, the EC's role as an impartial and independent body ensures that its results reflect the will of the people; free from partisan influence.
“This assignment of responsibilities is essential to maintain public trust in the electoral system and to prevent any undermining of democracy through the spread of unverified or false election outcomes.”
The President also underscored the vital role of the EC in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
He noted that the EC must ensure that the election results accurately reflect the true will of the people and that all logistical arrangements for the elections are efficiently managed to facilitate a smooth voting process.
“The Electoral Commission, as the body charged with overseeing the electoral process, must act with impartiality, independence, and integrity, ensuring that the election process is fair to all parties,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
Credit: Emma Ankrah