In a strong statement issued by Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD), the group extended heartfelt congratulations to President-elect, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, for his historic victory in the 2024 general election. The members of LINSOD, including affiliates from the NDC Lawyers Association, expressed their unwavering support for the President-elect and pledged to assist him in meeting the expectations of the Ghanaian people. LINSOD described Mahama’s victory as a clear mandate for change and a rejection of the outgoing administration’s poor performance.
LINSOD also took the opportunity to strongly condemn the actions of the Electoral Commission (EC), accusing the Commission of engaging in the illegal re-collation of parliamentary election results in certain constituencies. According to LINSOD, this action is a direct violation of the law, as the Commission has no legal mandate to re-collate results after they have been declared by the returning officer. The group stated that this re-collation process, which is reportedly happening under duress, is not only illegal but threatens the credibility of the country’s democratic process.
The statement further criticized the Electoral Commission for failing to provide adequate security for its officials during the collation process, which allegedly allowed for manipulation by operatives of the ruling party, the NPP. LINSOD also called out the Commission for its willingness to accept flimsy excuses for re-collating results, which they believe is an attempt to alter the results in favor of the NPP.
In addition, LINSOD demanded that the Electoral Commission organize fresh parliamentary elections in constituencies where results remain undeclared. The group emphasized that it had been actively involved in the election process, with members present at all collation centers across the country, and thus can confirm that delays in declaring results were deliberate attempts to enable fraud. LINSOD called for swift re-elections to restore public trust and ensure the will of the people is respected.
The full statement from LINSOD is as follows:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LINSOD CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT JOHN DRAMANI MAHAMA; CONDEMNS ELECTORAL COMMISSION FOR ILLEGAL RE-COLLATION OF PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION RESULTS; AND CALLS FOR RE-ELECTION IN CONSTITUENCIES WITH OUTSTANDING DECLARATION OF RESULTS
Congratulatory Message to President-Elect, H.E. John Dramani Mahama
1.1 We, the entire members of Lawyers in Search of Democracy (LINSOD), including members of the NDC Lawyers Association, and others affiliated to us, wish to congratulate the President-Elect, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for his historic victory in an election which was largely characterized by deeply rooted plans by the Electoral Commission to manipulate its outcome in favor of the ruling NPP. But for the vigilance and unparalleled scrutiny of the entire electoral process by many party volunteers including lawyers of NDC fraternity, and numerous Ghanaian youth, the plans and orchestrations of the Commission and the ruling Party would have resulted in a shambolic elections that would have been illegally called for the NPP.
1.2. We recognize the emphatic victory chalked by the President-elect as a mark of total confidence reposed in him by the Ghanaian electorate, whose aspirations and expectations in his tenure are for a complete turnaround from the abysmal and disappointing performance of the outgoing NPP administration to a more progressive leadership with better economic management, which shall impact positively on individual households. We wish to pledge our full support for the President-elect, and we pledge to do whatever it may take to assist him to meet the aspirations of the Ghanaian people, whilst we continue to function as watchdog in our fledgling democratic journey. Congratulations, Mr. President.
Condemnation of Re-Collation of few Parliamentary Results
2.1 We have noticed with utmost disappointment and disgust, the flagrant violation of the law and abuse of power by the Electoral Commission in re-collating, or attempting to re-collate certain parliamentary election results from the December 7th general elections. We wish to remind the Commission that there is nowhere in their own C.I. 127 that mandates them to re-collate parliamentary election results on any occasion after an initial collation had been done and publicly declared by the returning officer at the constituency collation center. Such a practice is not only unacceptable, illegal, and a threat to our democracy but is also a sign of remarkable incompetence and unimaginable irresponsibility. To be clear, a declared parliamentary result can only be challenged in the High Court and nothing more.
2.2 The basis for these re-collations that some Returning Officers of the Commission were coerced to collate and declare results under duress is untenable, and nothing short of a criminal act. Indeed, any Returning Officer that shall make this claim as the basis for this illegality must not only be deemed incompetent but should be made to face the law squarely at the right time. The Commission itself must be ashamed of accepting that it failed to provide adequate security and protection for its officials to discharge the mandate of the Commission.
2.3 In fact, the already damaged integrity of the Commission is further at risk if it is willing and ready to accept such a flimsy excuse by any Returning Officer that he had declared election results under duress, and so the same results must be re-collated and declared all over again. The acceptance of this reason for re-collation is nothing more than an attempt by an extremely disappointed Electoral Commission that had completely failed in its bid to rig the general elections for the NPP, to now steal some parliamentary seats for the roundly defeated NPP. We hope that the NDC shall fiercely resist this attempt by the Commission in collusion with the NPP to rob the NDC of the overwhelming mandate given to it by the Ghanaian electorate.
Re-elections in Undeclared Constituencies
3.1 We wish to hereby call on the Electoral Commission to organize fresh parliamentary elections in those constituencies where election results have still not been successfully collated and declared. For the avoidance of doubt, these constituencies do not include, Ablekuma North, Obuasi East, Okaikoi Central, Tema Central, Dome Kwabenya, and Fanteakwa North, which have already been collated and declared.
3.2 Re-election in these “undeclared” constituencies is necessary because it is common knowledge that fake ballot papers and pink sheets abound among NPP operatives, and the Electoral Commission itself is suspected to be an accomplice to the NPP in its attempt to steal some parliamentary seats from the NDC as was the case in the 2020 general elections.
3.3 It must be noted that LINSOD was actively involved in the recent elections, and its members were present in all collation centers across the country. For this reason, LINSOD can state as a matter fact that anytime Returning Officers and District Directors of the Electoral Commission were reluctant to declare the election results swiftly, they were only deliberately creating room for the NPP to engage in nefarious activities such as introducing new figures and/or fake pink sheets to manipulate the real will of voters.
3.4 These election officials, many of whom are NPP activists, were too quick, or would have been very quick in declaring the results if the NPP candidates had won in those areas. Indeed, the reluctance of the EC officials to quickly declare results that were already known by the electorates is the sole reason for which the youth and party activists amass at collation centers to ensure that the right collation and declarations are made.
3.5 Considering the above, and given that it has been over one week after the elections, Ghanaians cannot trust the Electoral Commission－which is too willing to overturn already declared results for NDC and give same to the NPP－to do any credible declaration at this point. It is for this reason that LINSOD holds the strong position that the only credible measure for the EC to take at this point is for fresh elections to be organized very quickly in all the constituencies that have not yet been declared, and those who shall be elected shall be inaugurated later to join their colleagues in Parliament.
Long Live LINSOD!
Long Live our Democracy!
Long Live Ghana!
SIGNED
ERIC DELANYO ALIFO
