Don’t stampede us to declare results – EC

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana says no one should stampede it to release the results of the 2016 general elections.

Speaking at a press conference today, December 8, 2016, Head of Communications at the EC, Eric Kofi Dzakpasu says Ghanaians should stop stampeding the Commission with regards to releasing the final presidential results of the 2016 general elections which came to an end yesterday.

At the press conference monitored by ghanabusinessnews.com, he urged the public to remain calm as the commission works rigorously to complete the electoral process.

Mr Dzakpasu also urged political stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to work in a transparent manner to complete a successful and peaceful electoral process, to avoid another possible situation for an election petition.

“We want to assure the people of this country that the commission is on course to delivering a credible free and fair election. So far the voting process has been smooth, transparent and has been attested to by the major contenders in the game. Let’s remain calm and complete the process according to the laid down rules and regulations,” he said.

According to Mr Dzakpasu this is not the first time that in a matter of 24 hours after elections that results have not been declared at the presidential level.

“This has always taken some time and the Commission has assured the people of this country that within a maximum of 72 hours we would be ready with the presidential results,” he stressed.

He adds that, “There is no course and there is no reason why in less than 24 hours people being conscious of the processes involved in the collation transmission and declaration of results should try to stampede the commission to do what it can’t do at this material moment.”

The Commission says it has received only 25 constituency results. “As at now, we have received 25 Constituency Collated results at the National Collation Centre,” he said.

By Pamela Ofori-Boateng