NESTF warns parties against violence at collation centres of disputed constituencies

The National Election Security Taskforce (NESTF) has issued a strong warning to the two major political parties – the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) – against inciting supporters to disrupt the re-collation process of results in nine disputed constituencies.

The caution follows a meeting between the NESTF and the Electoral Commission (EC) on Thursday, 19th December, where the taskforce assured its readiness to provide adequate security at the collation centres to ensure a smooth process.

At a press briefing on Friday, 20th December, ACP Grace Ansah-Akrofi, Director of Public Affairs at the Ghana Police Service, revealed that a joint police and military team will be deployed to oversee the process.

In addition, the Commission reminded the Task Force that during the collation, only individuals accredited by the Commission should be allowed access to the collation centres. In this regard, there will be a joint police and military deployment for the exercise. We wish to caution the public that non-accredited persons will not be permitted at the centres.

ACP Ansah-Akrofi further urged political parties:

To refrain from inciting their supporters to mass up at other collation centres to disrupt the process.

The nine disputed constituencies include Nsawam Adoagyiri, Ahafo Ano Southwest, Ahafo Ano North, Obuasi East, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Tema Central, Techiman South, and Dome Kwabenya.

According to the EC, results from these constituencies are incomplete and were declared under duress, necessitating a re-collation of the parliamentary results before a final declaration.

Addressing the media on Thursday, 19th December, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa decried threats and attacks on electoral officers in these areas, which led to the suspension of collation processes and forced declarations.

She stressed that accepting such results would set a “bad precedent for our country and take us back to the dark days.”

In her address, Jean Mensa appealed to President Akufo-Addo and President-elect John Dramani Mahama to intervene and ensure that the results for these nine disputed constituencies are collated and announced smoothly.

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