President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has entreated political parties to avoid declaring election results before the official count.
Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) conference in Kumasi on September 9, he warned that premature declarations could cause confusion, spread misinformation, and potentially lead to conflicts.
He stressed the importance of leaving the declaration of results solely to the Electoral Commission (EC).
“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 emphasized the crucial role of the Electoral Commission (EC) in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
He highlighted that the EC is responsible for ensuring that election results accurately represent the will of the people.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of the EC’s role in managing all logistical aspects of the election efficiently to ensure a smooth and orderly voting process.
This includes overseeing every detail to prevent disruptions and ensure that the election is conducted fairly and transparently.
“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.