EC raises concerns about security of its staff

Following the cases of electoral violence recorded during the December 7, 2024, general elections, the Director of Training at the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, has raised serious concerns about the security of the electoral process.

Speaking at an event organised by CDD-Ghana on December 18, 2024, Dr. Quaicoe pointed out that the current security situation is precarious, with even the police command facing instability.

He revealed that the Electoral Commission had sought assurances from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) regarding the safety of the collation process but was informed that such assurances could not be provided.

"We need to also talk of the security of the processes because if you don't have the security, no matter how well you prepare for it, you come to nought in a situation where the police command themselves are being turned upside down.

"I was saying that now, no part of the collision process is safe because they can come in at any time. The commission had wanted to even today, have a look at all these things. If you can recollect, we wrote to the IGP, they have written back to us that they cannot assure the safety of the process. So, where are we now?" he quizzed.

He stressed that the collation of results, which should be straightforward, given that results are known at the polling stations, has become contentious due to security threats.

Dr. Quaicoe noted that presiding officers have been intimidated, and many are scared to perform their duties.

Despite having scanners and computers at the collation centres, the equipment could not be used effectively due to security concerns.

Dr. Quaicoe urged political parties to be truthful and collaborate in the collation process, as the results are already available to them.

"So, the truth is that still the results are there; at least they are with the two political parties. So if they want to be truthful, we put them together; they can bring it, and we can do the collision. But the question is, are they ready? So, that is the challenge we are facing," he said.

He stressed the readiness of the Electoral Commission to proceed with the collation anytime, provided there is adequate security.

He also shared alarming reports of violence against electoral officers, including an incident where a female officer collapsed and had to be revived at the hospital after being pursued by aggressors.

"The Electoral Commission is ready any day, anytime, provided we have enough security. Because a lot of our people have been beaten. I will share the report that we have. A lot of officers, presiding officers, lieutenant officers, district officers, they have been beaten. One of them, in the cause of the confusion, managed to go and hide somewhere. Then she saw that people were coming for her, and she collapsed, a lady. She had to be revived at the hospital," he revealed.

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