By Albert Oppong-Ansah/Edward Acquah
Accra, Dec. 7, GNA – The Electoral Commission (EC) says the 2024 Parliamentary and Presidential elections started on time at nearly 99 per cent of polling stations.
Electoral materials, including most of the biometric devices were functioning except for one or two polling stations where officials had difficulty starting, but had been addressed.
Mr Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman, in Charge of Electoral Services, who addressed the media at an event to open the National Collation Centre (NCA) in Accra, said all election materials were deployed to the polling stations before the start of polls.
“We have not actually had any reported incidents of either violence or quarrelling. At each polling station, we have the presiding officer, name reference list, a verification officer, the ballot issuer for the presidential, and the parliamentary at post,” he noted.
Mr Tettey said to enhance responsiveness, the Commission had established a call Centre with toll-free number 0800324324 for the public to connect with the EC and report incidents.
“We encourage the public to call that number, and report issues or concerns you have to enable us to address this in a timely manner,” he said.
Mrs Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, who opened the NCA, said since the inception of the Fourth
Republic in 1992, the media had been granted access only on the day of declaration.
“Today, this has changed, and hence my discussion and my declaration that this is a historic moment. Going forward, the media will have access to all our centres across the country,” she said.
The EC Chairperson said the Commission had accredited about 10,000 media persons to cover activities on the field to enhance transparency of the electoral process.
“Granting access will provide the citizenry with vital information and help eliminate and reduce completely the suspicions that had hitherto characterised our work. Ultimately, we have no doubt that this would help to cement the peace and stability of our country,” Mrs Mensa said.
A total of18, 774,159 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots in over 40,000 polling stations across the country.
Twelve presidential candidates are contesting for nation’s highest office, following months of campaigning to present their policies to voters.
To win the presidency, a candidate must secure at least 50 per cent plus one of the total valid votes.
In the parliamentary race, candidates need to achieve a simple majority of valid votes to win.
Analysts have predicted a close race between Ghana’s current Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, representing the New Patriotic Party, and former President John
Dramani Mahama, running for the National Democratic Congress.
Mr Mahama, who lost to President Akufo-Addo in both 2016 and 2020, is seeking a comeback.
Other presidential contenders are Nana Kwame Bediako (The New Force), Alan Kyerematen (Movement for Change), Daniel Augustus Lartey Jr. (Great Consolidated Popular Party), George Twum-Barima-Adu (Independent), Hassan Abdulai Ayariga (All People’s Congress), Kofi Akpaloo (Liberal Party of Ghana), Mohammed Frimpong (National Democratic Party), Nana Akosua Frimpomaa (Convention People’s Party), and Kofi Koranteng (Independent).
Once polls close at 5:00 PM, ballots will be sorted and counted openly at each polling
station, and results will be recorded on the Statement of Results sheet.
The winner of the parliamentary race in each constituency will be announced at the constituency collation centre.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission will declare the presidential election winner after collating the results from all 16 regions.
The winner will be sworn in as President on January 7, 2025.
GNA