The Dome Kwabenya branch of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) has shed light on the circumstances that led to the suspension of the collation of results at the regional collation center on Saturday, December 21. This explanation follows the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to halt the collation process for the Dome Kwabenya and Ablekuma North constituencies.
The suspension arose from a High Court directive that mandated a re-collation of results for nine disputed constituencies. The court’s decision was based on complaints regarding irregularities in the original collation process. Following the re-collation exercise, the EC was able to announce results for seven constituencies. However, it withheld the results for Dome Kwabenya, citing the unavailability of pink sheets from three polling stations. Both the NPP and their political opponents, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), were unable to provide these critical documents, resulting in heightened tensions between the two parties.
In a statement issued on December 21, the Assistant Secretary of the NPP in the Dome Kwabenya constituency, Mr. Otu Addo, detailed the events that led to the absence of the pink sheets. According to him, the documents were destroyed during a violent incident involving a mob allegedly associated with the NDC. He alleged that the mob assaulted individuals at the collation center, vandalized the facility, and destroyed critical electoral documents, including the pink sheets.
“While collation was ongoing, the lead EC official at the Regional Collation Centre informed us that three pink sheets were not available. He asked if we had a copy as the EC had none. We did not have a copy either, as our sheets, along with those of the EC, had been burnt to ashes by the NDC mob—who, in our opinion, had just been incited by the NDC candidate. Videos of the incident are available and have already been sent to the EC. The pink sheets may have been snatched right inside the collation center in front of the Police and EC officials, who both witnessed the same,” the statement read.
The NPP further alleged that the attack occurred on December 8, 2024, when collation was initially scheduled. According to their account, the mob disrupted the process by assaulting individuals present and ransacking the collation center. The chaos forced the EC to abandon the exercise and advise the parties to reconvene the next morning at the Regional EC headquarters.
The NPP expressed frustration over the lack of prior communication from the EC regarding the resumption of the collation process. They claimed to have received no notification about the collation until they were informed of its suspension. The party also criticized the EC for cutting the process short despite calm being restored after the initial disruption.
The party’s statement emphasized their disappointment with the alleged actions of the NDC and called for investigations into the incident. The NPP stressed the importance of holding the perpetrators accountable to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. They also appealed to the EC to expedite the process of finalizing the results for Dome Kwabenya to ensure transparency and fairness.
Meanwhile, the NDC has rejected the EC’s declarations for the seven constituencies where results were announced. They have threatened to pursue legal action to challenge the outcomes, further complicating an already tense situation. The NDC’s rejection of the results has added a layer of uncertainty to the political atmosphere, particularly in constituencies where the margin of victory was narrow.
The NPP, on the other hand, has maintained its position that the absence of the pink sheets is a direct result of the violent actions allegedly orchestrated by the NDC. They reiterated their commitment to working with the EC to ensure that the truth is established and that the electoral process remains credible.
The destruction of the pink sheets has sparked widespread concern among political stakeholders and observers. The pink sheets serve as the primary evidence for the collation of results at the constituency level, and their absence raises significant questions about the validity of the process. The incident has also reignited debates about the need for stricter security measures during elections to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Observers have called for calm and urged all parties to cooperate with the EC to resolve the impasse. Civil society organizations have also weighed in, advocating for transparency and impartiality in addressing the issues surrounding the re-collation process.
The EC, tasked with ensuring a free and fair electoral process, finds itself in the middle of this contentious issue. While they have yet to provide a comprehensive statement on the next steps, the Commission’s ability to navigate this challenge will be crucial in maintaining public confidence in the electoral system.
Tensions remain high as the political parties and the EC await further developments. The NPP’s call for an investigation underscores the broader need for accountability and justice in electoral disputes. At the same time, the NDC’s rejection of the results points to deep-seated mistrust between the two leading parties.
The incident in Dome Kwabenya serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of electoral processes and the critical role of transparency, security, and communication in ensuring credible outcomes. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are keenly watching to see how the EC and the political parties involved will address the concerns and restore confidence in the system.
With the electoral process in Dome Kwabenya still unresolved, the spotlight remains on the EC to provide clarity and finality to this contentious issue. Both the NPP and the NDC have indicated their willingness to pursue their respective positions, setting the stage for a potentially protracted battle over the constituency’s results. In the meantime, Dome Kwabenya remains a focal point of Ghana’s political landscape, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for future elections.