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Vincent Obeng, the Returning Officer for the Ablekuma North Constituency, has announced his resignation, citing frustrations during the collation of election results. His decision leaves the collation process incomplete, with results from three out of seven polling stations yet to be finalized.
In an interview with Channel One News’ Hanson Agyemang, Obeng stated:
“We brought our presiding officers here; two came and couldn’t authenticate the statement of the poll and the declaration form. One said she couldn’t come. It’s so unfortunate for me to make this statement that I’m done with Ablekuma North. They should find a new Returning Officer to continue their work for them.”
The Electoral Commission (EC) temporarily halted the collation process on January 6 due to unresolved discrepancies from seven polling stations. Collation resumed on January 8, with results from four polling stations verified, but tensions escalated due to allegations by the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The NDC accused the EC of collaborating with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to manipulate results from outstanding polling stations. The NDC’s Constituency Organiser, Musa Kalamu, alleged:
“The EC is aiding the NPP in doctoring figures from pink sheets of outstanding polling stations.”
This chaotic development follows an earlier suspension of the collation process to verify pink sheets submitted by presiding officers. Out of the 20 outstanding polling stations initially identified, 13 results have been authenticated.
Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the EC’s Director of Training, expressed regret over the Returning Officer’s resignation, as the controversy adds to the already heightened tensions in the constituency.
