EC criticizes Security Taskforce over inadequate protection during collation

The Electoral Commission (EC) has criticized the National Elections Security Taskforce for failing to provide adequate protection for its staff during the collation and declaration of parliamentary results for nine outstanding constituencies from the December 7 elections.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, December 19, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa expressed concern over the lack of effective security arrangements to protect EC staff.

She lamented that the Commission had planned to complete the process in the nine constituencies on Friday, December 13, but was unable to proceed without the assurance of police protection, leading to the suspension of the collation. She stated the Commission believed that if they had been allowed to continue, they would have successfully concluded the collation process and declared the outcomes of the elections by now.

Jean Mensa disclosed that the Commission held a meeting with the Ghana Police Service on December 16, 2024, to agree on a new date. During the meeting, the EC proposed Wednesday, December 18, 2024, but the police informed them that the Tesano Police Training School could no longer be used for the collation process. It was agreed that new locations in Accra and Kumasi would be designated for the exercise.

On Tuesday, December 17, after another meeting with the police about the new locations, the police initially assured the Commission of their full support to enable them carry out their duties successfully. However, later that same day, the police issued a letter indicating that intelligence suggested there could be chaos at the planned venues, and therefore they could not guarantee security for the collation process as earlier planned.

The EC described this development as a disappointment, stating that it has delayed the collation process.