The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken a firm stance against what they perceive as an unlawful re-collation of parliamentary results by the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana. Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, the NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, has publicly declared the party’s intention to exhaust all available legal avenues to challenge this process. He argues that the EC’s actions are in direct contravention of the existing legal framework governing elections, specifically citing the current Constitutional Instrument (CI) which, he claims, makes no provision for re-collation after the initial declaration of results. The NDC views this as an attempt to subvert the will of the people and is determined to prevent what they consider an affront to the democratic process. This dispute over the re-collation process underscores the tension surrounding the election results and highlights the importance of clear and unambiguous electoral laws.
At the heart of the NDC’s contention is the interpretation of the current CI governing elections. Dr. Tanko-Computer insists that the existing legal instrument does not permit the re-collation of results after they have been officially declared. He accuses the EC of resorting to outdated practices that were permissible under previous CIs but are no longer valid under the current legal framework. This discrepancy in interpretation has become a flashpoint in the post-election period, with the NDC vehemently rejecting the EC’s justifications for the re-collation. The party’s stance underscores the critical role of clear and consistent electoral laws in ensuring the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
The NDC has taken concrete legal action to challenge the re-collation process. Specifically, the party has filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court contesting a High Court directive that mandated the re-collation. Dr. Tanko-Computer has characterized the High Court’s decision as a “complete miscarriage of justice,” further emphasizing the NDC’s strong disapproval of the re-collation and their commitment to pursuing all legal avenues to overturn it. This legal challenge signifies the party’s determination to uphold what they believe to be the correct interpretation of the electoral law and to protect the integrity of the election results.
The NDC’s actions reflect broader concerns about the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. The party’s accusations of an “illegal re-collation” suggest a deeper mistrust of the EC and its handling of the election results. This mistrust underscores the vital importance of public trust in electoral institutions and the need for transparent and accountable processes to ensure the legitimacy of election outcomes. The ongoing legal battle between the NDC and the EC highlights the potential for legal disputes to arise when the interpretation of electoral laws is contested, emphasizing the necessity of clear and unambiguous legal frameworks to minimize such conflicts.
Dr. Tanko-Computer’s strong pronouncements reflect the NDC’s unwavering commitment to challenging the re-collation process. His assertion that the party will utilize “every legal means possible” underscores their determination to pursue all available legal avenues to rectify what they perceive as an injustice. This resolute stance highlights the party’s dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that the electoral process adheres to established legal frameworks. Furthermore, it underscores the potential for lengthy legal battles to arise in the aftermath of elections, especially when there are disputes over the interpretation and application of electoral laws.
The dispute between the NDC and the EC over the re-collation of parliamentary results exemplifies the complexities and challenges that can arise in post-election periods. The NDC’s accusations of illegality and their subsequent legal challenge highlight the critical need for clear and unambiguous electoral laws, transparent processes, and public trust in electoral institutions. The outcome of this legal battle will have significant implications for the final parliamentary results and could potentially shape future electoral procedures in Ghana. Moreover, the dispute underscores the importance of robust legal frameworks and impartial judicial processes in resolving electoral disputes and maintaining the integrity of democratic governance.
