By Ashiadey Dotse
Ghana’s December 7 general elections brought a decisive victory for John Dramani Mahama, who won the presidency with 56.55% of the votes. However, while the presidential race has been settled, disputes over 12 parliamentary seats have sparked tension and legal battles, delaying final results.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has cited issues such as miscounting, irregularities in collation, and conflicts at collation centers for the controversies. These challenges involve constituencies such as Dome Kwabenya, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, and Techiman South, among others.
Disputed Seats and Allegations
Suhum: The EC declared NPP’s Frank Asiedu Bekoe the winner after a recount, defeating the NDC’s Prince Kwadwo Addo Tabiri. The NDC has alleged irregularities and plans to contest the results in court.
Akwatia: NPP’s Ernest Kumi won after a recount, but the NDC claims the process lacked credibility.
Fanteakwa North: A recount reversed an earlier declaration in favor of NDC’s Haruna Apaw-Wiredu, naming NPP’s Kwame Appiah Kodua the winner instead.
Techiman South: Violence erupted when supporters of NDC candidate Christopher Beyere Baasongti allegedly burned electoral documents, contesting the win of NPP’s Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah.
Ahafo Ano North: NDC’s Kwasi Adusei is challenging the declaration of NPP’s Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh as the winner.
Illegal Declarations and Re-collation Efforts
The EC has also deemed some declarations illegal, including wins for the NDC in Dome Kwabenya, Tema Central, Okaikwei Central, and Ablekuma North. For instance:
Dome Kwabenya: The NPP disputes the victory of the NDC’s Elikplim Akurugu, alleging mob interference during collation.
Tema Central: Protests erupted after NDC’s Ebi Bright was declared the winner, with NPP’s Charles Forson accusing the EC of mismanagement.
Seats Awaiting Re-Collation
Nsawam/Adoagyiri: A planned re-collation of votes has been stalled due to a court injunction filed by the NDC.
Ahafo Ano South West: Re-collation has been delayed after violent clashes during the initial process.
Obuasi East: The EC has yet to finalize results after disputes over irregularities and reports of violence at polling stations.
Broader Implications
The unresolved parliamentary results have sparked concerns about Ghana’s electoral integrity. Political parties and civil society organizations are calling for reforms to ensure greater transparency and accountability in future elections. As legal challenges unfold, the country awaits resolutions that will determine the composition of the new parliament.
Observers emphasize the importance of resolving these disputes fairly to maintain public confidence in Ghana’s democratic process.
