The Electoral Commission (EC) has reiterated that only approved individuals will be allowed into the various collation centres across the constituencies.

This announcement follows widespread reports of residents and party sympathizers forcing their way into these areas.

“Currently, a collation of both presidential and parliamentary results is underway in all the 276 constituency collation centres. The Commission wishes to inform the leadership of political parties and presidential candidates that the coalition centres are restricted areas," the Commission said.

Constituencies such as Ablekuma West, Ablekuma Central, and Okaikoi North have witnessed groups in standoffs with police and electoral officials in attempts to observe the counting process.

Speaking at a press conference, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Operations at the EC, Samuel Tettey, clarified that each candidate is permitted only two agents at the collation centres.

• Read also: Chaos at Ablekuma West collation centre as residents clash with security and EC

"Only persons who have been accredited by the Electoral Commission can have access to the constituency coalition centres, and each candidate has two agents at each of the collation centres. There is no need for the collation centres to be overcrowded."

He urged all stakeholders to adhere to electoral rules to prevent overcrowding and ensure a smooth collation process.

Earlier, some ballot boxes and papers from the just-ended general elections were destroyed by unidentified men at the Ayawaso Central collation centre in Accra, plunging the area into chaos.

The incident occurred at the ATTC School, where the collation of results was expected to take place.

According to reports, the group clashed with police officers, while Electoral Commission (EC) officials were seen fleeing with ballot boxes to protect the materials.

Earlier, security personnel struggled to differentiate between accredited individuals and unaccredited residents, many of whom claimed they were there to assist in safeguarding the ballots.