The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) finds itself embroiled in a controversy surrounding the collation process in the Ablekuma North Constituency, sparking concerns about transparency and the integrity of the electoral process. “CARE” GHANA, an advocacy group dedicated to free and fair elections, has raised serious allegations against the EC, accusing them of mishandling the collation exercise and potentially fabricating election results. The situation stems from the reported loss of all original pink sheets, the official documents recording vote tallies from each polling station, due to disruptions at the constituency’s collation center. The EC’s subsequent actions to reconstruct the missing results have been met with suspicion and condemnation, casting a shadow over the legitimacy of the electoral outcome in Ablekuma North.
At the heart of the controversy lies the EC’s admission that all 281 original pink sheets from the Ablekuma North Constituency polling stations have been lost. Following a High Court directive to complete the collation process in four constituencies, including Ablekuma North, the EC embarked on a process to reconstruct the missing results. However, “CARE” GHANA alleges that instead of employing transparent and verifiable methods, the EC has resorted to fabricating pink sheets from 62 polling stations. These reconstructed documents, according to the advocacy group, bear no resemblance to the original records and lack the necessary verification features to ensure their authenticity. The EC’s refusal to share these fabricated pink sheets with key stakeholders, including political parties, parliamentary candidates, and the media, has further fueled suspicion and undermined public trust in the process.
Adding to the growing concerns, several EC officials have reportedly questioned the legitimacy of the fabricated results, expressing their inability to confirm their accuracy. This internal dissent within the EC further underscores the irregularities surrounding the collation process and raises serious doubts about the integrity of the election results. Moreover, the resignation of the Returning Officer for Ablekuma North, the individual responsible for overseeing the collation and declaration of results, has further complicated the situation and added another layer of uncertainty to the already contentious electoral process. The Returning Officer’s resignation suggests a potential breakdown in the chain of command and raises questions about the pressures and influences surrounding the collation exercise.
In response to the EC’s alleged misconduct, “CARE” GHANA has issued a series of demands aimed at restoring transparency and ensuring the integrity of the electoral process in Ablekuma North. The group’s primary call is for an immediate suspension of the collation process until a transparent and credible framework is established. This suspension would allow for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the original pink sheets and the subsequent fabrication of new documents. “CARE” GHANA also demands that the EC provide a public explanation of its intended methods for completing the collation process and share this information with all stakeholders, including political parties and the media. This transparency is crucial for rebuilding public trust and ensuring that the process is conducted fairly.
Furthermore, “CARE” GHANA has urged an independent investigation into the alleged fabrication of pink sheets. This investigation should aim to determine the individuals responsible for the loss of the original documents and the subsequent fabrication, and hold them accountable for their actions. An independent inquiry is essential to ensure impartiality and maintain public confidence in the investigation’s findings. Given the gravity of the allegations and the potential impact on the election outcome, “CARE” GHANA believes that a rerun of the elections in the 62 affected polling stations is the only way to ensure fairness and restore public faith in the electoral process. This rerun would provide a clean slate and allow voters to express their will without the cloud of suspicion and controversy hanging over the results.
The controversy surrounding the Ablekuma North collation process has far-reaching implications for Ghana’s democracy. “CARE” GHANA warns that the EC’s actions threaten the principles of free and fair elections and erode public trust in the electoral system. The group emphasizes the importance of upholding democratic values and ensuring that the people’s will is respected. “CARE” GHANA calls on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations and political parties, to demand accountability from the EC and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. The future of Ghana’s democracy hinges on the transparency and credibility of its elections, and it is imperative that all stakeholders work together to protect these fundamental principles.
