President Akufo-Addo urges political parties to respect EC’s authority on election results

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on political parties to refrain from declaring election results before the official announcement by the Electoral Commission (EC), warning that such actions can sow confusion and lead to potential conflict.

Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association conference held at the Great Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi, on Monday September 9, the President emphasised the crucial role of the EC as an impartial and independent body, whose duty is to deliver results that reflect the true will of the people.

He cautioned against the “dangerous practice” of premature election declarations, which could not only misinform the public but also risk undermining the credibility of Ghana’s democratic process. 

“Political parties must refrain from declaring election results before the Electoral Commission does so, as this can lead to confusion, misinformation and even potential conflicts.

“The EC’s role as an impartial and independent body ensures that its results reflect the will of the people, free from partisan influence,” the President stated.

Highlighting the importance of trust in the electoral system, President Akufo-Addo stressed that only verified results from the EC should be recognised. 

He underscored that any attempts by political actors to announce results ahead of time could lead to misinformation and the erosion of public confidence in the democratic process.

“This assignment of responsibility is essential to maintain public trust in the electoral system and to prevent any undermining of democracy through the spread of unverified or false election outcomes,” President Akufo-Addo added.