President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of Ghana has cautioned political parties against the “dangerous practice” of premature election declarations, which can not only misinform the public, but also risk undermining the credibility of Ghana’s democratic process.
Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association conference held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, on Monday September 9, the President Akufo-Addo said that declaring election results before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission (EC), could lead to potential conflict.
“Political parties must refrain from declaring election results before the Electoral Commission does so, as this can lead to confusion, misinformation and even potential conflicts.
“The EC’s role as an impartial and independent body ensures that its results reflect the will of the people, free from partisan influence,” the report by Daily Graphic quoted the President as saying.
Harping on the importance of trust in the electoral system, President Akufo-Addo said that only verified results from the EC should be recognised.
According to him, any attempts by political actors to announce results ahead of time could lead to misinformation and the erosion of public confidence in the democratic process.
“This assignment of responsibility is essential to maintain public trust in the electoral system and to prevent any undermining of democracy through the spread of unverified or false election outcomes,” he added.
GIK/APA