The general elections on December 7 culminated in the victorious return of John Dramani Mahama to the presidency, with him securing 56.55% of the valid votes, totaling 6,328,397 votes. His decisive win has sparked both anticipation and controversy across Ghana.
Mahama’s main rival, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), garnered 4,657,304 votes. While the presidential results have been finalized, uncertainty remains over several parliamentary constituencies, where official results are still pending.
Twelve constituencies remain in dispute, with the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the NPP, and the Electoral Commission (EC) citing procedural irregularities and disagreements as the cause of the delays.
The EC has attributed these disputes to issues such as miscounts, irregularities in vote collation, and conflicts at the collation centres, all of which need to be addressed before final declarations can be made.
The contested constituencies include:
- Dome Kwabenya
- Okaikwei Central
- Ablekuma North
- Suhum
- Akwatia
- Fanteakwa North
- Tema Central
- Ahafo Ano South West
- Ahafo Ano North
- Obuasi East
- Nsawam/Adoagyiri
- Techiman South
These disputes stem from allegations of discrepancies in the collation process, claims of results being declared under duress, or disagreements over recounts.
The ongoing legal challenges and rising political tensions have placed Ghana’s electoral integrity under intense scrutiny.
Seats Disputed by the NDC
- Suhum
In Suhum, after a recount at the National Police Training School on December 12, the EC declared Frank Asiedu Bekoe of the NPP as the winner, with 16,855 votes, narrowly defeating the NDC’s Prince Kwadwo Addo Tabiri, who received 15,259 votes. Independent candidates Kwadjo Asante and Emmanuel Dede Wiafe polled 14,860 and 159 votes, respectively.
The NDC contested the results, alleging discrepancies in the recount process and threatening legal action, citing disenfranchisement and lack of transparency. - Akwatia
The Akwatia seat has been a point of contention, with Ernest Kumi of the NPP declared the winner over the NDC’s Henry Yiadom Boakye after a recount. NDC supporters criticized the EC’s decision, arguing it undermined the credibility of the process. - Fanteakwa North
Initially, the EC declared Haruna Apaw-Wiredu of the NDC as the winner in Fanteakwa North. However, the EC later admitted that this declaration was made under duress and called for a recount. Following the recount, Kwame Appiah Kodua of the NPP was declared the winner, reigniting tensions. - Techiman South
The NDC is contesting the declaration of Martin Kwaku Adjei-Mensah Korsah as the MP-elect for Techiman South. Supporters of Christopher Beyere Baasongti allegedly set fire to electoral materials at the Techiman Divisional Police Command on December 8. This led to a call for the recollation of results. - Ahafo Ano North
The NDC’s Kwasi Adusei is challenging the declaration of Eric Nana Agyemang-Prempeh of the NPP as the winner and has threatened legal action.
Seats Declared Illegal by the EC
- Dome Kwabenya
Elikplim Akurugu of the NDC won in Dome Kwabenya, marking a historic victory. However, NPP candidate Mike Oquaye Jr. rejected the results, alleging mob interference and demanding a recount. The EC, in a press conference on December 13, described Akurugu’s declaration as illegal, stating it could not be upheld. - Tema Central
Ebi Bright of the NDC won in Tema Central, defeating Charles Forson of the NPP. Forson protested, accusing the EC of mishandling the collation, and vowed to challenge the results in court. The EC, on December 13, also declared Bright’s victory as illegal and unenforceable. - Okaikwei Central
Violence disrupted the collation process in Okaikwei Central, forcing a relocation to the regional collation centre. After 78% of polling stations had been counted, Baba Sadiq of the NDC was declared the winner. However, the EC later revealed that the returning officer made the declaration under duress, meaning it would not be upheld. Patrick Boamah of the NPP has announced plans to challenge the results. - Ablekuma North
The Ablekuma North race was marred by violent clashes between NDC and NPP supporters. The NDC’s Ewurabena Aubynn was declared the winner, but NPP supporters alleged irregularities, and the process was further disrupted by violent incidents, including road blockades.
Seats Yet to Be Re-Collated by the EC
- Nsawam/Adoagyiri
The EC ordered a re-collation of votes in Nsawam/Adoagyiri due to irregularities in the initial results. However, efforts to carry out the re-collation were met with resistance, prompting the relocation of the process to the National Police Training School. Amid escalating tensions, the NDC obtained a court injunction to halt the re-collation process, citing discrepancies and bias. - Ahafo Ano South West
The Ahafo Ano South West constituency results have yet to be officially re-collated after violence marred the initial process. - Obuasi East
In Obuasi East, the NDC’s Samuel Aboagye was declared the winner with 18,558 votes (49.46%) compared to NPP’s Patrick Boakye-Yiadom’s 18,539 votes (49.41%). However, the EC has stated that the process was marred by violence, and the results have not yet been re-collated. During the voting, two military officers engaged in a confrontation with the NDC Communication Officer at a polling station, escalating tensions. This altercation led to calls for enhanced security and transparency in future elections.
Civil society organizations and election observers have called for stronger measures to safeguard Ghana’s electoral process, emphasizing the need for greater transparency, accountability, and reform.
