The Progressive People’s Party (PPP) has expressed concern over what it describes as “worrying developments” following the peaceful elections conducted on December 7, 2024.
The party raised alarm over the handling of disputes in nine constituencies, urging the Electoral Commission (EC) to adhere strictly to the laws governing the electoral process.
The PPP’s concerns follow the re-collation and redeclaration of parliamentary results in seven out of the nine outstanding constituencies. After the re-collation, all seven results were declared in favour of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
In a statement, the PPP acknowledged the independence of the Electoral Commission but reminded the EC of its obligation to operate within the confines of its established structures and legal framework.
“We take notice of the independence of the Electoral Commission but also wish to remind it that it must respect its own structures and the laws under which it operates,” the statement read.
The party highlighted specific issues in constituencies where declarations were not made, urging the Police to support the EC in completing the electoral process in those areas. “In some constituencies, there were no declarations at all. We urge the Police to back the EC to finalize the process and make the necessary declarations,” the statement emphasized.
However, the PPP strongly opposed the EC’s reported intention to conduct a re-collation and fresh declarations in constituencies where results had already been officially declared. The party argued that such actions were not provided for under the C.I. 127, the legal instrument guiding the 2024 elections.
“Nowhere in the C.I. 127 is the word ‘re-collation’ mentioned, nor is there any provision giving the Electoral Commission the power to take such steps after designated returning officers have declared results in those constituencies,” the PPP asserted.
The party further reminded dissatisfied candidates of the appropriate legal avenues for challenging declared results. According to the PPP, the law provides for such individuals to seek redress through the High Court.
“We call upon the Electoral Commission to desist from meddling in the affairs of already declared constituency elections and allow aggrieved candidates to pursue legal remedies,” the statement added.
