{
  "id": 6128097,
  "title": "WAEC cancels entire results of 861 candidates over possession of mobile phones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/waec-cancels-entire-results-of-861-candidates-over-possession-of",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T10:11:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
    "slug": "myjoyonline-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.myjoyonline.com/waec-cancels-entire-results-of-861-candidates-over-possession-of-mobile-phones/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a surprising turn of events, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced that the results of 861 candidates have been cancelled due to their possession of mobile phones during the 2026 examinations. This decision was disclosed by John Kapi, the Head of Public Affairs at WAEC, in an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, September 7, 2026. Kapi emphasized that the prohibition against mobile phones in examination halls is a strict rule, regardless of the device's usage. Despite instructions from supervisors and invigilators to conduct thorough searches, it appears that some candidates have resorted to sophisticated methods to hide these devices or that the searches conducted at certain examination centers may not have been comprehensive enough. Kapi also pointed out that it's possible for candidates to find innovative ways to conceal mobile phones from invigilators and that the thoroughness of the searches at some examination centers might be lacking. WAEC has a history of reminding supervisors and invigilators during briefing sessions about the importance of conducting rigorous searches of candidates before allowing them into examination halls. In addition to the cancellation of 861 candidates' results, WAEC has also cancelled the results of 7,434 candidates for bringing unauthorized materials like prepared notes, textbooks, and printed materials into the examination halls. Furthermore, the results of 270 candidates remain withheld as investigations into suspected examination offenses are ongoing. Kapi urged affected candidates to visit WAEC’s examination irregularities portal to find out the reasons behind their results being cancelled or withheld.",
  "summary": "The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has cancelled the entire results of 861 candidates after they were found in possession of mobile phones during the 2026 examinations.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "2026 WASSCE: WAEC withholds results of 270 candidates over suspected exam offences",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/2026-wassce-waec-withholds-results-of-270-candidates-over-suspected",
        "published": "2026-09-07T10:34:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}