EC to Implement Alternative Verification for Ablekuma North Election Results

   The Electoral Commission (EC) has assured the public that alternative verification methods will be employed to validate the results of the Ablekuma North Constituency Parliamentary election, despite a recent fire that destroyed key electoral materials, including ballot papers.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at the Kwashieman Cluster of Schools, where critical election documents were destroyed in a fire. This included the ballot papers and pink sheets, leading to concerns about how the Commission would proceed with verifying the election results in the constituency.

Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Director for Training at the Electoral Commission, addressed these concerns in an interview with Citi News on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, during an event organized by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD). Dr. Quaicoe reassured the public that despite the fire, the EC has alternative measures in place to ensure that the results from the Ablekuma North election are verified properly. He emphasized that the Commission can still gather the necessary information from other sources to corroborate and confirm the election results.

“The ballot boxes were destroyed in the fire, but we still have results available in other forms. Once we are able to gather all the relevant information from these alternate sources, we can proceed to collate and verify the results,” Dr. Quaicoe explained. He emphasized that the EC was committed to using these alternative verification methods to ensure a thorough and accurate process.

Dr. Quaicoe made it clear that while this situation posed challenges, it should not set a dangerous precedent where electoral processes can be easily undermined. He noted the importance of maintaining the integrity of the election and ensuring that the final results reflect the will of the voters. “We cannot allow this situation to become an excuse for someone to circumvent the process. The decision of the voters must be respected,” he stressed.

The fire, which destroyed the ballot papers and other electoral materials, raised concerns about how the Commission would manage to verify the election results, especially given the reliance on these materials to confirm the accuracy of the vote count. However, Dr. Quaicoe’s statements emphasized that the EC has other means of gathering information, such as electronic records, the data from the polling stations, and other forms of documentation. The Commission’s aim is to ensure that the election process remains transparent and accountable, despite the challenges posed by the incident.

Dr. Quaicoe’s assurance also underscored the EC’s commitment to uphold the integrity of the democratic process, ensuring that no technicality would disrupt the verification process. “We should not allow a situation where the election results are questioned due to technical issues or external factors,” he said, emphasizing the Commission’s determination to guarantee that the final decision accurately reflects the voters’ choices.

Furthermore, the Director highlighted the importance of not allowing the fire to undermine the process or disenfranchise voters. He explained that the EC’s primary concern was to ensure that the will of the electorate is upheld, regardless of the destruction of materials. “The will of the voter must prevail, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that this process is fair, transparent, and in line with democratic principles,” he added.

The EC’s alternative verification measures include the use of backup records from polling stations and other sources that could assist in verifying the results and ensuring that the election outcome reflects the true intention of the electorate. By utilizing these alternative methods, the Commission aims to prevent any disruption to the electoral process and continue ensuring the credibility of the election results in Ablekuma North.

In conclusion, despite the challenges posed by the fire, the Electoral Commission remains committed to verifying the results through alternative means, ensuring that the election results are accurate and fair. The EC’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of the process aims to restore public confidence in the system and uphold democratic values in Ghana’s electoral process.