The Electoral Commission (EC) Returning Officer for the Ablekuma North constituency, Vincent Obeng, has decided to step down from the ongoing collation of parliamentary results, citing frustrations encountered during the process.
This decision comes after chaos broke up at the Electoral Commission (EC) office yesterday to announce the winner for the parliamentary Ablekuma North constituency seat in the December 7.
A dispute over the parliamentary election results led to a dramatic moment when a party official reportedly slammed a table during a heated exchange, triggering a physical altercation between supporters of opposing parties.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, January 8, Vincent Obeng disclosed that out of seven polling stations, results from four had been successfully collated, leaving three outstanding.
He explained that difficulties arose due to the inability of presiding officers to authenticate the statement of the poll and the declaration forms.
“I hope you have all seen what is going on. Yesterday January 7, we were left with 7 polling stations to go. We came today, and we have been able to do [collate] four out of the seven.
“So, we’re left with three more. We brought our presiding officers here two came, but they couldn’t authenticate the statement of poll and declaration form. One said she can’t come. So that’s the three now,” he said.
Expressing frustration, Mr Obeng added, “It’s so unfortunate for me to make this statement, but I’m done with Ablekuma North. They [EC] should find a new returning officer to continue their work.”
In response, the EC’s Director of Training, Dr Serebour Quaicoe, expressed regret over Mr. Obeng’s remarks, attributing them to frustration.
He reassured the public that the Commission would address the issue and make efforts to bring Mr. Obeng back to complete the process.
The collation process for Ablekuma North has been fraught with tension. Earlier, a scuffle erupted over the inclusion of a disputed pink sheet, further delaying proceedings.
A Presiding Officer, Nathaniel Klimsman Avumeh, denied authenticating figures from his polling station, complicating the collation.
Tensions escalated when a party official slammed the table of EC officials, triggering chaos among opposing party members.
‘When you call me and I don’t come…’ – Watch as the returning officer for the Ablekuma North constituency announces he is quitting the job. This marks the second time he has quit the role.#ElectionBureau#CitiVerify#GhanaPolls2024 pic.twitter.com/TcQaEOTtfa
— ChannelOne TV (@Channel1TVGHA) January 8, 2025
