Lawyer and law lecturer at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), Justice Abdulai, has called on the Electoral Commission of Ghana to speed up the declaration of election results to reduce public concerns.
According to him, delays in announcing election results can lead to doubts about the integrity of the electoral process and led to suspicions that the EC may be attempting to rig the election.
Speaking to Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante on Angel TV on November 9, 2024, he pointed out that the recent American elections demonstrated the effectiveness of quick results declaration, with Donald Trump being declared the winner within 24 hours.
He explained that, in comparison to American elections, the declaration of results in Ghana often takes too long, and the Electoral Commission should learn from this practice.
“I thought the EC was coming to use its experience in Ghanaian elections, but I think this time it has performed worse than the previous electoral commission,” he said.
Justice Abdulai emphasized that the Electoral Commission must prioritize transparency and truth in its operations to prevent accusations of bias towards any political party. “The truth must prevail on time,” he stated.
He further noted that delayed election declarations raise concerns, even when the final results could be clear.
He urged the Electoral Commission to announce results from regions like Ashanti or Greater Accra as soon as they are ready to build confidence in the electoral process and to clear doubts about potential rigging.
According to Lawyer Abdulai, the quick declaration of results in the United States contributed to a peaceful electoral environment, in contrast to Ghana, where delays can lead to unrest and chaos at polling stations.
He concluded by stating that elections are about selecting a leader to govern the country, not about inciting violence or chaos.
“The important aspect of an election is to choose a president to manage the country, not to create disorder,” he emphasized.
