Charlotte Osei must withdraw her ‘recounting’ comment – Okudzeto

Prominent Ghanaian lawyer Sam Okudzeto has asked the Chair of the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC), Charlotte Osei, to withdraw her remark about recounting the ballots at her own volition.

He said the remark is a recipe for misunderstanding and conflict.

“This is what brings about fighting, disturbance and disagreements.”

The former President of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) made this call on Sunday, November 20 on TV3’s Eye on the Seat. Charlotte Osei in a Facebook Live interview with BBC a fortnight ago stated that when presidential results are too close to call, the Commission will do a recounting in order to be sure of the results to declare.

“Our elections in Ghana tend to be very close,” she said.

“If it is so close, it might be prudent to stop, inform everyone, do a total recount and be sure of what we are announcing finally.”

Mr Okudzeto, who was Member of Parliament in the Second Republic of Ghana, insisted that it is only a candidate that can call for recounting and not the Commission.

“Clearly, it is against the rules,” he protested.

He admonished the Chair of the seven-member Commission to eat humble pie and withdraw her remark.

“She should say that it is an error and it is not correct, so we go on.”

The octogenarian said Mrs Osei’s remark has the tendency to create a kind of impression that does not augur well for the confidence Ghanaians will have in the Commission.