The Deputy Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr Bossman Asare, has called for the safeguarding of the credibility of Ghana’s electoral system, emphasising the importance of strict adherence to legal processes and transparency.

In a recent interview with Benjamin Akakpo, Mr Asare warned that any failure to uphold these principles could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral process.

“We must maintain the credibility of our electoral system,” Mr Asare asserted. “The integrity of our elections depends entirely on our commitment to following the law and ensuring transparency at every stage.” He explained that once the process is compromised, it not only undermines the results but also weakens the foundation of democracy itself.

Drawing from his own experience, Mr Asare highlighted the risks associated with external pressures on election results. “If, for example, a candidate is leading, but someone with more power or influence steps in and demands a different result, this compromises the fairness of the process. We must ensure this does not happen," he said.

Mr Asare stressed that the role of the Electoral Commission was to uphold the law and not to bow to outside influence, no matter the individual or group involved.

“The Commission’s duty is clear,” Mr Asare continued. “We are responsible for ensuring that only those who have legitimately won are declared winners. We must follow the law and the procedures outlined, regardless of any external pressure.”

He also cautioned against allowing unjust declarations to stand, which would only damage the public’s confidence in the system.

Addressing concerns over the collation of election results, Mr Asare reassured the public that the Commission had adhered to all necessary protocols. “The Electoral Commission has done the right thing by ensuring that only legitimate winners are declared. There is no question about the accuracy of the results,” he confirmed. “We followed the process to the letter, and the results were declared based on clear and transparent procedures.”

Mr Asare’s comments come at a time when the Electoral Commission is under close scrutiny, with some questioning the transparency of the election process.

However, he remained firm in his defence of the Commission’s actions, reinforcing that the credibility of the electoral system is paramount.

In conclusion, Mr Asare reiterated that the Commission’s primary responsibility was to protect the credibility of Ghana’s elections. “We cannot afford to allow any declaration that doesn’t follow due process to stand.

The integrity of our electoral system is non-negotiable,” he stressed. “The public must have confidence in the system, and we are committed to ensuring that their trust is never compromised.”