Behind the Scenes: How election results are counted in Ghana

As Ghana awaits the results of its December 7, 2024 general elections, the process of vote counting and result declaration follows a carefully structured system designed to ensure transparency and accuracy.

Ghana has successfully conducted eight general elections since returning to multi-party democracy in 1992. The country’s electoral process has evolved over the years, incorporating lessons learned from previous elections and adopting new technologies while maintaining traditional safeguards.

This explainer breaks down the journey from ballot box to final declaration by the Electoral Commission of Ghana.

The counting process starts right after polls ends

At each polling station across Ghana’s 16 regions, the counting process begins immediately after voting ends at 5:00 PM. The counting is conducted in full view of party agents, election observers, and the media, embodying Ghana’s commitment to electoral transparency.

Initial count at polling stations

Election officials empty ballot boxes onto counting tables and sort votes into piles for each presidential and parliamentary candidate. Invalid ballots are separated and reviewed.

The presiding officer shows each ballot paper to party agents before placing it in the appropriate pile.

What is the pink sheet?

Results from each polling station are recorded on a special form known locally as the “pink sheet.”

This crucial document contains:

• Total number of ballots issued
• Number of valid votes for each candidate
• Number of rejected ballots
• Total voter turnout
• Signatures from party agents and the presiding officer

What happens at the constituency collation centres

Results from all polling stations within a constituency are sent to the Constituency Collation Centre. Here, Electoral Commission officials aggregate results from all polling stations under their jurisdiction.

Party agents and observers can monitor this process and raise concerns if they spot discrepancies.

Using technology for modern and physical transmission

The Electoral Commission of Ghana employs a dual system for result transmission:

1. Physical transportation of pink sheets to collation centres
2. Electronic transmission of results through a secure system

This dual approach helps ensure accuracy and provides a backup verification method.

The key role of the Electoral Commission

The Electoral Commission (EC) serves as the central authority in the counting process. At its National Collation Center in Accra, the EC:

• Receives and verifies constituency results
• Cross-checks physical and electronic submissions
• Addresses any disputes or challenges raised by party agents
• Makes periodic announcements of certified results

Legal framework and timelines

According to Ghanaian electoral laws, the EC Chairperson, who serves as the Returning Officer for the presidential election, must declare presidential results within three days after the close of polls, unless there are extraordinary circumstances.

Parliamentary results are typically announced at the constituency level by the respective returning officers.

What measures are put in place to avoid challenges and ease electoral verification

Various safeguards exist to ensure accuracy:

• Party agents must sign off on results at each level
• Independent observers monitor the entire process
• The media has access to polling station results
• Citizens can track results through the EC’s public portal

Until the official results come out, it’s not all a waiting game.

While the nation awaits official results, it’s important to note that only the Electoral Commission has the mandate to declare official results.

Preliminary figures from media houses like TV3, Onua TV and published on platforms like 3News.com and other sources, while informative and provisional, are not official until confirmed by the EC. You can visit the 3News Election Command Centre at https://3news.com/elections

This methodical approach to vote counting, though sometimes perceived as slow, helps ensure the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process and maintains public confidence in the final outcome.

The post Behind the Scenes: How election results are counted in Ghana first appeared on 3News.