Today in 2008: No law on when to release results - Afari-Gyan

In 2008, when the announcement of the final result for Ghana’s presidential run-off election was postponed, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Kwadwo Afari-Gyan explained that there was no law that compelled the Commission to release results in 72 hours.

Many were of the view that the delay was as a result of vote-rigging. Party supporters from the opposition NDC camped outside the electoral headquarters in Accra. Professor Atta Mills, NDC presidential candidate also warned the EC against any attempt to manipulate the election results.

Afari-Gyan explained that the election was “too close to call” adding that the results of the Tain Constituency who were unable to vote on the December 7 election could make a difference.

Read the full story originally published on December 10, 2008, on Ghanaweb

The Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, on Wednesday said there was no law that compelled the Commission to release results in 72 hours.

"I am not aware of such a law. If anyone knows of such a law let him bring it to us," he told a press conference in Accra where he announced the results of Sunday's presidential election.

He said when the EC was asked repeatedly when the results would be ready it said it would be done within 72 hours, adding, "that should not be taken to mean we are bound to release the results in 72 hours". Dr. Afari-Gyan praised the media for its work in the election but expressed concern about accusations that the Commission had delayed in releasing the results.

He also expressed discomfort about allegations that there was a black-out on the results.

"We allowed the media to broadcast even polling station results," Dr Afari-Gyan said, adding that, the presiding officers announced results in the open, while certified results were sent to the Ghana International Press Centre for journalists.

He said such accusations tended to pollute the electoral atmosphere and urged the media and public to be circumspect. Dr Afari-Gyan said election results had to be checked carefully because they owed it a duty to be fair to the candidates who had spent time, energy and money on the election. He also said they had to be careful to avoid results that would trigger protests.

Dr Afari-Gyan said there will be a run-off on December 28 between Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Prof. John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He said this was because none of the eight candidates who contested Sunday's election won more than 50 per cent of the votes to be declared winner.

He said Nana Akufo-Addo had 4,159,439 votes representing 49.13 per cent while Prof. John Evans Atta-Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) obtained 4,056,634 representing 47.92 per cent.