EC finally confirms Mahama’s Victory

By Joyce Kpeglo

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has officially declared John Dramani Mahama the winner of the 2024 presidential election.

Chairperson Jean Mensa made the announcement on Monday, December 9, confirming Mr. Mahama’s victory with a total of 6,328,397 votes, representing 56.55% of the valid ballots cast.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), received 4,657,304 votes, accounting for 41.61% of the total.

Despite results from nine constituencies remaining outstanding due to disruptions caused by political party supporters, the EC emphasized that even if all the outstanding votes were added to Dr. Bawumia’s tally, they would not change the outcome.

“Even if all outstanding votes go to the second-placed candidate, it will still not change the results. Records will be updated o receipt of the collation of the 9 constituencies presidential ballots” Jean Mensa explained during the declaration.

In line with Regulation 633 of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates that a presidential winner must secure at least 50%+1 of valid votes, the EC officially declared Mr. Mahama the President-elect.

“With 56.55% of the votes, I have the singular honor to declare His Excellency John Dramani Mahama as the duly elected President of the Republic of Ghana. Congratulations, sir—it is finished,” Jean Mensa announced.

Morever she confirmed the low voter turnout during the elections citing statistics from 267 constituencies. Out of eighteen million, seven hundred seventy-four thousand, one hundred fifty-nine (18,774,159) registered voters, the total votes was eleven million, four hundred thirty thousand, five hundred thirty-one (11,430,531). Eleven million, one hundred ninety-one thousand, four hundred twenty-two (11,191,422) were valid, while two hundred thirty-nine thousand, one hundred nine (239,109) were rejected.

Supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) erupted in jubilant celebrations across the country as the official results were announced. This marks Mr. Mahama’s return to the presidency after his initial tenure ended in 2017.