The Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has praised Ghana’s electoral process for its innovation and political stability, following the successful conduct of the country’s 2024 presidential election.
The election, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, saw former President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) emerge victorious. Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), conceded defeat, congratulating Mahama. “The people of Ghana have spoken and they have voted for change at this time. We respect this with all humility,” Bawumia said in a statement.
The Electoral Commission of Ghana is expected to officially announce the results by Tuesday, according to reports from AFP.
Yakubu, who observed the election, commended the stability of Ghana’s political system and its commitment to democratic principles. Speaking in a video obtained by reporters, he highlighted how the nation’s consistent party structures and voter loyalty have contributed to its political stability.
“Rarely in Ghana do you see people moving from one party to another with every general election. This provides stability—not just to the parties but also to their supporters. People in Ghana have been loyal to their political parties for many years, whether in power or opposition,” Yakubu noted.
He also acknowledged Ghana’s adoption of a decentralised approach to managing election results, inspired by Nigeria’s system. While parliamentary and presidential results were previously sent to the Electoral Commission headquarters in Accra for announcement, Ghana now allows parliamentary results to be announced at the constituency level. Only presidential results are sent to Accra.
“This is a lesson Ghana learnt from Nigeria,” Yakubu explained. “In Nigeria, we have returning officers who announce results for parliamentary elections in their respective constituencies. Ghana adopted this approach, and this is the second time they are implementing it. As a result, the declaration of presidential election results has been significantly faster than in the past.”
Yakubu expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, stating, “The process and its outcome so far have been commendable. We are grateful that the election has gone very well, and we will continue to support our colleagues in Ghana’s Electoral Commission.”
The election result marks a shift in Ghana’s leadership, ending two terms of the New Patriotic Party under outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo. His tenure was overshadowed by Ghana’s worst economic crisis in years, with soaring inflation and a debt default.
, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has praised Ghana’s electoral process for its innovation and political stability, following the successful conduct of the country’s 2024 presidential election.){kind=link}