General News of Saturday, 24 November 2012

Source: Kelvin Dartey

Election Results Likely To Be Released Within 24hrs - David Kanga

Retired Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission, David Kanga, has said it is likely the final results of the December polls will be released within 24 hours after the polls close.

According to him, the problems which delayed the transmission of results and the release of final results will no longer persist due to the introduction of the Electronic Transmission System.

“The Commission has gone very far into technology now and some of the problems that delayed the transmission of results and release of final results will no more be there.”

Mr. Kanga Speaking on Citi FM in Accra, pointed out that the Electoral Commission was adequately prepared to transmit this year’s election results electronically.

However, he advised that the transmission of the election results should ensure that the party agents “should still have a way of verifying that what is being transmitted is what actually happened. If this electronic services work, I don’t expect the results to go beyond 24 hours.”

Mr. Kanga also noted that agents of political parties can ensure transparency of the biometric system without any challenges.

“The parties can have their agents at the Regional level before the results are transmitted; they are made to see before it is transmitted. It is supposed to be strong room, the same process should be going on. If the transmission is done transparently…..it shouldn't be a problem.”