The Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, has raised concern over what he describes as attempts to bypass legal procedures in addressing election-related disputes.
According to him, the Electoral Commission (EC) and its leadership do not possess the authority to overturn results declared by returning officers at collation centers, emphasizing that such powers rest solely with the courts.
Dr. Tanko-Computer argued that returning officers, as mandated by law, are responsible for declaring election results, and once this process is completed, any challenges to the validity of these declarations must be addressed through a petition at the High Court. He criticized what he termed “ambush tactics” by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) seeking to invalidate results through administrative channels, stating that the law does not provide room for such actions.
He reiterated that election results were declared in the presence of security personnel, media houses, and party representatives, ensuring transparency. He dismissed claims that results could be overturned by the EC, insisting that the commission lacks the legal mandate to do so. He described such actions as undermining the legal framework governing elections in Ghana and stressed the importance of adhering to due process to maintain the credibility of the country’s democratic institutions.
Dr. Tanko-Computer further referenced specific legal provisions, including CI 127, which outlines the procedures for collation and declaration of results. He maintained that if any errors were perceived in the collation process, they must be addressed through the courts and not by administrative fiat. He accused the EC of overstepping its bounds, calling for the institution to respect its prescribed role and refrain from actions that could erode public confidence in its operations.
He called on all stakeholders to prioritize the rule of law and allow the judiciary to resolve disputes arising from the electoral process and assured that the NDC would continue to rely on legal avenues to address its grievances, reaffirming the party’s commitment to upholding the integrity of Ghana’s electoral system.
