2024 Election: Bawumia’s early concession undermined results collation – Inusah Fuseini

Accra, 13 July 2025 – Former Tamale Central MP, Inusah Fuseini, has charged that Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s early concession following the 7 December 2024 general elections significantly disrupted the State’s efforts to complete parliamentary results collation.

Speaking on Citi TV’s The Big Issue on 12 July, Fuseini emphasized that Bawumia’s premature congratulatory statement to John Mahama occurred while the Electoral Commission (EC) was still actively collating both presidential and parliamentary vote tallies—delegitimizing ongoing collation activities and sparking nationwide apathy and confusion 

“His action rendered activities at the collation centres moot. Nobody paid attention to the parliamentary results again,”
– Inusah Fuseini

He underlined that Bawumia’s concession “derailed the process,” triggering derailments in constituencies including Ablekuma North, where a re-run had to be held in 19 polling stations on 11 July 2025. Other constituencies affected included Tema Central, Okaikwei Central, Akwatia, and Nsawam-Adoagyiri—many requiring court-ordered recounts and finishes 

Fuseini further noted EC regulations mandating collation within 48–72 hours post-election. Yet Bawumia conceded hours earlier, which, according to him, signaled that collation could cease—undermining both institutional process and parliamentary integrity 

???? Implications for Ghana’s Democracy

• Institutional legitimacy: Premature political declarations risk undermining public trust in electoral administration—fostering chaos and disinterest at a critical juncture.

• Parliamentary representation: Delayed collation led to reruns and legal interventions, affecting the timely seating of MPs and delaying parliamentary proceedings.

• Election integrity: In a close-run election, every result matters—Bawumia’s concession potentially skewed public and political perceptions before transparency and due process were assured.

???? Way Forward

1. EC reform: Strengthen legal frameworks to clearly restrict pre-collation concessions by flagbearers.

2. Political discipline: Encourage leading party representatives to allow EC collation to conclude before public statements.

3. Public education: Sensitize citizens on the importance of awaiting official results for democratic credibility and stability.

???? Final Thoughts

Inusah Fuseini argues that while Bawumia’s concession may have been intended to promote peace, it had unintended consequences—stifling result collation and confounding parliamentary outcomes. This episode offers a serious lesson: political restraint and procedural integrity are critical for preserving electoral democracy in Ghana.