The African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) to Ghana has rejected claims of over-voting by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections at certain polling centres.
The EC had stopped the publication of all collated results of the polls, saying its attention had been drawn to what it called “several possible instances of over-voting” which occurred during the crucial elections.
The EC, through its Communications Director, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu, had said the commission is committed to releasing the results within the 72-hour mandatory timeline, but insisted that the verification process would have to be completed.
EC initially did not state which party raised such claims of over-voting, compelling several Ghanaians to ask it to give details about the claims.
The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) came out later, claiming instances of over-voting in the Ashanti Region, one of the strongholds of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
But Head of AUEOM, former president of the Republic of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba, said the Mission did not record any instances of over-voting.
“We have not received any report of over-voting and the voters, those who cast their ballots are registered voters, meaning they are qualified to vote,” Mr. Pohamba said in response to a question posed by DAILY GUIDE with respect to whether the Mission observed any instances of over-voting during the elections as had been alleged by the NDC.
Mr. Pohamba said this yesterday while releasing the preliminary findings of the AUEOM on Ghana’s December 7, 2016 presidential and parliamentary polls.
According to him, if at all there was over-voting, it would not be by those who were registered by the EC to vote but rather by Ghanaians living in neighbouring countries like Togo and Cote d’Ivoire, who he claimed might have been smuggled into Ghana solely to illegally vote.
He contended that that should have been taken care of by the national security personnel who were deployed across the country on Election Day.
According to him, AUEOM collaborated with other international and domestic observer groups and had not received reports of over-voting from them.
The AUEOM argued that “Despite some challenges encountered during the pre-election period, Special Voting and on Election Day, overall the 2016 elections were conducted in a largely peaceful, transparent and credible manner.”
The Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG) and the Civic Forum Initiative (CFI) – an umbrella body of 15 civil society organizations – which jointly sent a total of 1,200 observers on the field on Election Day, have also indicated that they did not receive any reports of over-voting from their observers.
Results Tabulation
The AUEOM, in its report which is divided into two phases – pre-election phase and election phase – encouraged the EC “to handle the results tabulation process in a transparent, credible and expeditious manner.”
Mr. Pohamba charged, “The EC is implored to expedite announcement of remaining results in order to address the growing anxiety caused by delays thus far.”
The AUEOM is expected to issue its comprehensive assessment of the elections within two months which will take into consideration how the remaining stages of the electoral process were managed.
Charge
Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Election Observer Mission to Ghana, led by former South African President Thabo Mbeki, has urged Ghanaians to refrain from acts of violence, as the country awaits the Electoral Commission to officially declare the results of the presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Mission made the call at a press conference yesterday in Accra to release its preliminary report on the crucial 2016 general elections.
Source: Daily Guide
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Nice to have a change of government, however has the Ghanaian mindset and attitude to work changed?sorry. it is the same people that you left behind are the same very people you coming into office to meet again. Our way of thinking is very narrow us individuals and as a country collectively.
God has taken Ghana 🇬🇭 ones again through a successful change of government through the power of the thumb but not the barrel of the gun. Every well-meaning Ghanaian and those residence within our borders should justifiably welcome this as a good 😊 news. We have experienced this phenomenon since 1992, after every eight years. That is why those feeling disappointed should have hope that possibly their choice government could one ☝️ day come back to power, hence the need to overcome this loss and support the incoming government with prayers 🙏 and cooperation. For those of us who are visibly rejoicing and justifiably so should not forget that we have simply voted for humans but not angels 👼 so that we should be modest in our celebration 🎉, bearing in mind that Ghana 🇬🇭 has been this road before. It is my prayer that, the God of all the earth 🌏 will guide the outgoing President to continue to give his best and commission even more infrastructure developments in the coming days with joy and glee. I want to see him mingle with Ghanaians and laugh 😂 off the tension of the last few months. I pray for the President-Elect, that he will pause now and allow this victory and the expectations of Ghanaians and its implications to settle well in his heart before he starts to make very major decisions. I pray that Ghana 🇬🇭 shall become the beacon of Africa and the world 🌎. I pray for economic Prosperity for all Ghanaians. I pray for a Ghana that supports whoever is in power devoid of party colours. I pray for a Ghana 🇬🇭 where the word of God reigns and thrives. May God continue to bless our home land Ghana and make us great and strong 💪. Above all, Jesus is still on the throne. He hasn't moved since 1992, he has remained on his throne since Kwame Nkrumah's era. Put your trust in Him. Still👍 Saving Jesus Campaigns!
NDC WAS MASSIVE DISGRACE TO GHANA. THEY THOUGHT THEY OWN GHANA. ***barred word***. YOU HAVE DESTROYED OUR GREAT COUNTRY THROUGH UNPRECEDENTED CORRUPTION AND UNDIGNIFIED ABUSE OF POWER. EXCELLENT RIDDANCE. ***barred word*** PEOPLE. ENEMIES OF GHANA.