Author: Nicholas Akussah
Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi, Chairman of the Election Situation Room, Decision Room, led a press briefing on Saturday evening December 7, 2024, where he shared observations on the voting process in Ghana’s 2024 elections.
According to him, despite reported incidents in some polling stations, the voting process proceeded without major complaints and in accordance with the electoral process.
As of 3:45 pm, out of 655 reports submitted on the voting process, 98.3% indicated that voters on the electoral roll had been verified using the Biometric Verification Device (BVD) or manually.
Additionally, male and female security personnel were observed at the polling stations.
During the voting process, some incidents were observed. Technical issues included a lack of exit at the Community Centre Sikaroe polling station, which led to verbal confrontations, and the presence of parliamentary ballot papers with incorrect candidate information.
Security incidents included the arrest of a polling station agent for double voting and a shooting incident at Nyankpala in the Northern Region, which resulted in one death and one person injured.
At the Siguri Clinic polling station, four young individuals were seen influencing others to vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Presidential Candidate.
At the Martin Luther Junior School polling station, EC officials opened the poll without filling the statement of polls, which was later resolved.
In the Sawla Area Council polling station, 77 parliamentary ballot papers were found to have incorrect candidate information.
The Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition investigated several claims, including a message allegedly sent by NDC Parliamentary candidate John Dumelo, which was found to be misleading.
Another claim about a video posted by Sammy Gyamfi, NDC Communication Director, was also found to be misleading.
As the collation process begins, the Election Situation Room (ESR) urges voters and party agents to refrain from any act of violence and provocation.
The ESR also encourages the National Election Security Taskforce to increase security presence in potential flashpoints and maintain effective security coordination.
The ESR’s efforts, along with those of other organizations, have helped to promote peace and transparency throughout the electoral process.
