The former Director of the Ghana School of Law, Kwaku Ansa Asare, has endorsed the High Court’s ruling directing the Electoral Commission (EC) to re-collate results in disputed constituencies.
Speaking to ABC News GH on December 20, 2024, he lauded the EC’s decision to act on allegations of fraud involving fake pink sheets, which, he noted, raised significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
“Fraud changes everything,” Mr. Ansa Asare emphasized. “Once anything is procured by fraud, that act to that extent should be declared null and void.”
He further commended the EC for stepping up to its constitutional mandate, stating, “This may be the first time our EC has declared results null and void on grounds of a mixture of fake and genuine ballots.”
The EC’s Stand
Mr. Ansa Asare also supported the EC’s justification that results declared under duress should be revisited, describing the High Court’s ruling as consistent with the principles of the rule of law.
“The verdict of the High Court on this occasion is consistent with the tenets of the rule of law,” he asserted, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency in electoral processes.
Background
The High Court’s decision followed a contentious 2024 general election that saw nine constituencies being challenged due to alleged irregularities.
The EC successfully re-collated and declared results for seven of these constituencies on December 21, with all outcomes favoring the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Results for two constituencies, Ablekuma North and Dome Kwabenya, remain pending.
Re-collated Results
- Ahafo Ano North
Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh of the NPP retained the seat with 20,353 votes, narrowly defeating NDC’s Kwasi Adusei, who garnered 20,232 votes. - Techiman South
Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah of the NPP emerged victorious with 46,663 votes, while the NDC’s Christopher Beyere Baasongti secured 43,429 votes in a closely monitored process. - Ahafo Ano South West
Elvis Osei Dapaah (NPP) won with 16,680 votes, edging out NDC’s Sedik Abubakar, who received 16,540 votes in one of the constituency’s tightest races. - Nsawam Adoagyiri
Frank Annoh Dompreh of the NPP narrowly triumphed with 29,640 votes over the NDC’s Amenorpe Philbert Fummey, who secured 29,433 votes. - Obuasi East
Patrick Boakye-Yiadom (NPP) retained his seat with 18,558 votes, defeating Samuel Aboagye of the NDC, who garnered 18,539 votes. - Okaikwei Central
Patrick Yaw Boamah (NPP) reclaimed the seat with 21,099 votes after a re-collation overturned an earlier declaration favoring NDC’s Baba Sadiq, who ended with 19,368 votes. - Tema Central
The NPP’s Charles Forson secured a narrow victory with 18,870 votes, overturning an earlier result that declared NDC’s Ebi Bright the winner with 18,815 votes.
Pending Results
Results for Ablekuma North and Dome Kwabenya remain suspended pending further directives from the EC.
NDC’s Response
The NDC has rejected the declared results, accusing the EC of breaching due process and vowing to pursue legal redress. Despite this, the EC emphasized that the re-collation was conducted transparently and without incidents of intimidation.
This development underscores the growing demand for electoral accountability and sets a precedent for addressing alleged irregularities in future elections.
