Exercise patience; it’s only 23 hours since voting ended—EC to Ghanaians

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has called on Ghanaians to exercise patience as the nation awaits the official declaration of the 2024 election results.

EC Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Mensa, urged citizens to trust the commission to fulfil its mandate efficiently and transparently.

She attributed delays in declaring the 2024 election results to disruptions caused by attacks on EC officers and the destruction of election logistics.

Speaking on Sunday, December 8, she appealed to political party supporters to desist from interfering with the collation process.

“Some supporters, in their anxiety and excitement, have besieged collation centres, obstructing our officers and, in some cases, destroying essential equipment,” Mrs. Mensa revealed.

She assured the public that the necessary steps are being taken to ensure an accurate collation of results.

“It has been 23 hours since voting concluded, and counting commenced immediately at various polling stations and regional collation centres. We are taking our time to ensure everything is done correctly so collation can begin tomorrow,” Mrs. Mensa stated.

Despite the Commission’s reassurances, the EC has yet to receive full results from all regions across the country.

This delay has prompted calls from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the EC to expedite the process and declare the election results, particularly as the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the main contestant, has conceded defeat.

To enhance transparency, the EC has, for the first time in Ghana’s Fourth Republic, opened the National Collation Centre to the media.

The initiative is designed to provide real-time updates and build public trust in the electoral process.

The National Collation Centre is equipped with fax machines designated for each of Ghana’s 16 regions, awaiting the transmission of regional results.

The EC has emphasised its commitment to transparency and accuracy, urging all stakeholders to remain calm and patient as the collation process unfolds.