INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu has reacted as John Mahama, emerged winner of the Ghana election conducted on Saturday, December 7Mahama, a candidate of the opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been elected as Ghana’s presidentYakubu shared his observation about the outcome of Saturday’s exercise, particularly Ghana adopting Nigeria’s electoral model (technology)
Henzodaily.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
Mahmood Yakubu, chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has stated that the just-concluded presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana showed that the country has learnt some lessons from Nigeria.
John Mahama wins Ghana election, INEC chairman reacts.
Photo credit: John Dramani Mahama, INEC Nigeria
Source: Facebook
On Saturday, December 7, Ghanaians exercised their electoral responsibility by electing a new president and members of the parliament.
Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghana’s vice president and ruling party candidate, conceded defeat on Sunday, December 8, to opposition candidate and former President John Dramani Mahama.
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Bawumia admitted Mahama won the country’s presidential election.
John Mahama, candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been elected as Ghana’s president.
Reacting to the development, INEC chairman hailed the outcome of the polls, describing the process as “commendable,” and one that provides stability for Ghana and its citizens.
Lessons from Ghana election influenced by Nigeria
As reported by The Cable, Yakubu noted that the first lesson was the political parties’ stability.
The INEC chairman noted that unlike many other countries, Ghanaians tend to remain loyal to their political parties even during general election.
The second lesson, according to Yakubu, was Ghana’s adoption of Nigeria’s approach in managing constituency election results.
Particularly noted that Ghana made use of electoral technology and took it to the next level, they made it work in their system.
Previously, all results in Ghana, both presidential and parliamentary, were sent to the Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Accra. However, inspired by Nigeria’s practice, Ghana has now implemented a system where results for parliamentary elections are announced locally by returning officers in each constituency, with only the presidential results sent to Accra.
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The INEC chairman stated thus:
“There are many things that I’ve observed; the first thing is the political parties. Rarely in Ghana do you see people moving from one party to another with every general election. So, that is important. It provides stability.
“It also provides their supporters with stability. So, there are people who have supported political parties for many years.
“So, whether the party is in power or opposition, they stick to the political party.
“The second thing for me is the lesson that Ghana also learnt from Nigeria in the area of managing constituency election results.
“Until the last election in Ghana, all results come to the Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Accra, which is parliamentary and presidential.
“Although Ghana is not a federal system, they learnt from Nigeria, where you have returning officers who announce results for parliamentary elections in the various constituencies around the country. Only the presidential election results come to Accra.”
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Tinubu reacts as Mahama wins Ghana presidential election
Henzodaily.ng earlier reported that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Mahama on his victory in Ghana’s December 7 election.
Tinubu praised Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia for his early concession, which he described as a testament to Ghana’s democratic strength and unity.
The Nigerian President expressed his commitment to deepening relations with Ghana, underscoring shared cultural and regional goals while thanking outgoing President Akufo-Addo for his leadership.
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Source: Henzodaily.ng