President Akufo-Addo Urges Political Parties to Refrain from Prematurely Declaring Election Results

President Akufo-Addo has issued a strong call to political parties in Ghana, urging them to refrain from declaring election results ahead of the official announcement by the Electoral Commission (EC) during the upcoming December polls.

Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) conference in Kumasi on September 9, the president stressed that premature declarations could cause confusion, spread misinformation, and even lead to conflict.

Akufo-Addo emphasized the need for all political parties to respect the role of the EC, which is the sole institution responsible for declaring official election results. “It is imperative that the Electoral Commission remains the sole authority responsible for declaring election results, to preserve the integrity and credibility of the electoral process. Political parties must refrain from declaring results before the Electoral Commission does so,” he said.

He underscored the importance of maintaining public trust in the electoral system, explaining that the EC’s impartiality and independence ensure that its results reflect the true will of the people, free from partisan influence. This assignment of responsibilities, according to the president, is essential to safeguard democracy and prevent the spread of unverified or false election outcomes.

President Akufo-Addo also highlighted the critical role of the EC in ensuring that election results are accurate and represent the people’s true choices. He called on the commission to manage all logistical arrangements efficiently to facilitate a smooth voting process, noting that its actions must reflect impartiality and fairness for all political parties.

“The Electoral Commission, as the body charged with overseeing the electoral process, must act with impartiality, independence, and integrity, ensuring that the election process is fair to all parties,” Akufo-Addo concluded. President Akufo-Addo remarks reflect the ongoing efforts to ensure a transparent and peaceful election process in Ghana as the nation prepares for the December polls.