The Electoral Commission (EC) has explained its decision to relocate collation centres for 12 constituencies to the National Police Training School (NPTS), stating that the move was based on recommendations from the Ghana Police Service.

The measure, according to the EC, was taken to ensure the safety of its staff and to protect the integrity of the electoral process amid growing threats and disruptions.

At a press conference on Thursday, 19 December, EC Chairperson Jean Mensa cited Ablekuma North and Okaikwei Central constituencies as examples where heightened tensions necessitated the changes.

"In a number of instances, our staff have been threatened with death and forced to declare outcomes without adhering to the processes governing collation," she revealed.

The relocation of the collation centres for these constituencies to the EC’s Greater Accra Regional Office, the EC Chairperson explained, was a proactive measure to safeguard personnel and prevent undue interference.

“To ensure transparency and fairness, the EC communicated the changes to all political parties and provided clear guidelines for representation at the new collation centres, but those guidelines were flouted, leading to the discontinuation,” she said.

She further disclosed that the EC had engaged with the Ghana Police Service to ensure the safety of collation centres, but threats against staff persisted, resulting in disruptions to the process.

Under the revised arrangements, each political party was permitted to have two agents at the relocated collation centres, with all parties duly informed of the changes.