A security analyst, Professor Kwesi Aning, has praised the Electoral Commission (EC) for suspending the re-collation of parliamentary results for nine constituencies, citing procedural breaches and threats to its staff.

He described the move as necessary to prevent further conflict with political parties.

On Thursday, December 19, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa reiterated an earlier decision that results for constituencies including Dome Kwabenya, Okaikwei Central, and Ablekuma North would not be upheld.

The decision followed disruptions in the re-collation process, which the EC attributed to interference by political party agents.

The affected constituencies are Dome Kwabenya, Okaikwei Central, Ablekuma North, Techiman South, Suhum, Akwatia, Fanteakwa North, Ahafo Ano North, and Tema Central.

The re-collation had been ordered to address issues identified during the initial collation. However, political party agents’ actions disrupted the process, forcing the EC to suspend it. The Commission condemned the interference, stating it hindered the finalisation and announcement of results.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Dr Aning endorsed the EC’s decision, highlighting the importance of upholding electoral integrity.

“Stopping the process entirely is the appropriate step. This is because the available information suggests that tensions are still high,” he said.

He noted that while law enforcement had managed to control random acts of chaos, the criticism from the EC toward election security had raised concerns about the readiness of security agencies to protect the electoral process.

“Law enforcers have managed to bring the random acts of indiscipline and chaos under control, but it looks to me as if the criticism from the EC towards the election security has raised concerns,” he stated.