Ghana’s electoral process inspired by Nigeria, says INEC

 Tinubu, Fayemi congratulate Ghana’s president-elect, Mahama
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said Ghana’s decision to decentralise its electoral system was inspired by Nigeria’s success in managing constituency election results.

On the telephone yesterday, President Bola Tinubu congratulated Ghana President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, on his victory in Saturday’s general election, following his opponent’s concession speech.

Also, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi, congratulated Mahama on his victory in the election.

While commending the smooth conduct of the election, Yakubu observed that until the last election in Ghana, all parliamentary and presidential results were sent to the headquarters of the Electoral Commission in Accra for announcement.

Mahama won the election after his main opponent, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat.

The defeat in Saturday’s election ended two terms in power for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo.

For the 2024 presidential election, Ghana adopted a decentralised system, allowing constituency-level officers to announce parliamentary results locally while only presidential results were sent to Accra.

Yakubu, who monitored the election believed that Ghana’s approach to managing results at the constituency level was inspired by Nigeria, adding that the process improved the efficiency of the election.

“Although Ghana is not a federal system, it learnt from Nigeria where you have returning officers, who announce results for parliamentary elections in the various constituencies around the country.

“In Nigeria, this is what we have done and they borrowed a leaf from us, and this is the second time they are implementing that. That is why the declaration of the presidential election result was a lot faster than it used to be in the past,” he said.

Tinubu, in a telephone call to Mahama, expressed confidence that his ascension to power for the second time would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which he chairs.

He commended the people of Ghana for their commitment to democracy, which was demonstrated through the peaceful and successful conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary elections.

Applauding Ghanaians for demonstrating to the world that democracy is the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice and transparent governance in Africa, Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria’s and the region’s belief in the principles of the people’s right to choose their leaders freely would remain a source of pride.

He also applauded the NPP candidate, Bawumia, for conceding defeat before the official announcement by Ghana’s Electoral Commission.

President Tinubu said Bawumia’s stance reinforced Ghana’s democratic ethos.

He noted that Mahama’s return to Jubilee House, having served as President from 2012 to 2017, reflected the Ghanaian people’s trust in his stewardship and vision to take the country to greater heights.

Mahama served as Vice President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012, Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2009, and held deputy and ministerial roles between 1998 and 2001.

The Nigerian leader hailed President Nana Akufo-Addo for his exemplary leadership and numerous contributions to Ghana’s progress and regional peace and stability.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said he looked forward to working with Mahama’s incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future in West Africa.

In a statement signed by the Head of Fayemi Media Office in Abuja, Ahmad Sajoh, yesterday, the former Ekiti State governor commended Bawumia for his gracious concession speech, noting that “his acceptance of the electoral outcome in the spirit of peace and national unity exemplifies the very best of African political leadership.”

Fayemi noted that Ghana had become a model of democracy for Africa, emphasising the importance of respecting the will of the people and the supremacy of democratic principles.

He said: “As a friend to both men and a committed advocate of democratic principles across Africa, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the President-elect of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, on his resounding victory in the recent general elections.

“Bawumia’s decision to place the interest of Ghana above personal ambition reinforces the values of democracy and demonstrates a maturity that will undoubtedly serve as a model for political actors across the continent.”