Dr. Kwame Jantuah, a senior member of the Convention People’s Party (CPP) and legal practitioner, has slammed the Electoral Commission’s (EC) recent re-collation of parliamentary results, especially regarding why claims from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) were seemingly ignored.
The EC, led by Chairperson Jean Mensa, declared results in several constituencies as “illegal” after claiming that they had been declared under duress.
This re-collation, which was authorized by the High Court, resulted in declarations favoring the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in constituencies like Ahafo Ano North, Techiman South, Ahafo Ano Southwest, Nsawam Adoagyiri, Obuasi East, Okaikwei Central, and Tema Central, with two constituencies still under review.
The NDC has vehemently criticised the process, calling it “illegal” and asserting that they will not accept the re-collated results.
Speaking on GHOne TV, Dr. Jantuah questioned the selective nature of the EC’s actions, stressing why the commission did not address NDC’s concerns in constituencies where they alleged results were irregularities.
Dr. Jantuah further expressed frustration over the lack of transparency in the re-collation process.
He pointed out that the EC had cited “duress” as the reason for the re-collation but did not provide adequate evidence to support the claim.
The legal expert also highlighted the broader implications of these actions on the credibility and independence of the EC, urging the commission to be more transparent and fair.
“Duress in the home setting is different from duress in the public setting, two different things especially with cameras running. Especially with people around, especially with journalists taking down notes to report. Yu ask for evidence, for me that is basis. She went by what her officers said but show the people the evidence that should support your re-collation. Show the evidence, be clear, be transparent about it. And those other constituencies that were against the NPP, did she do anything about it?”
“All this re-collation, isn’t it on those constituencies that the NDC won? Why so? Were they not others where the NDC too were against the figures that were given? For me, I believe the EC should be as independent as possible and this is where we need to go back to the constitution, I don’t believe that it’s the president who should.”
