The Electoral Commission(EC) was adequately prepared for the 2016 polls and adhered to the Electoral calendar, the African Union Observer Mission has said.
It said despite delays in some regions, the Mission acknowledged the timely delivery of electoral materials to various polling stations ahead of the elections.
There were apprehension in the country, as political watchers prior to December 7, polls had predicted that the EC won’t be able to meet its calendar to conduct the elections set for this year, in view of the protracted legal suits that surrounded it.
However, the EC has so far had a smooth sailing of organizing the December 7 elections, and is even confident of meeting it’s 72 hr deadline in declaring results of the polls.
The Chairman of the AU Observer Mission, Lucas Pohamba delivering key highlights of its observation so far with Ghana’s 2016 polls at a Press conference said although the commission has not brought finality to the polls held almost 72hrs ago, the EC’s efforts in delivering the process is commendable.
Despite the fact that Ghana’s constitution, and the legislative framework largely comply with the regional and the International norms and the standards for democratic elections, however he noted that the legal framework do not adequately regulate campaign processes and parties’ funding.
Meanwhile the outcome of the polls in Ghana is taking shape as many online news portals have already called the elections for the New Patriotic Party(NPP) candidate, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Nana Addo’s total votes garnered nationwide gives him a statistical advantage ahead of main rival and incumbent President John Mahama. Mr. Akufo-Addo’s New Patriotic Party are also likely to get a Parliamentary majority.
The EC is yet to release official results for the 2016 polls, after 48hrs of elections held.
