The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has responded to former President John Dramani Mahama’s comments at the London School of Economics and Political Science, describing them as unfounded allegations.
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana issued a strong rebuttal to former President John Dramani Mahama’s allegations regarding the commission’s integrity and conduct. In response to Mahama’s concerns about the impartiality of appointments to the EC, citing a perceived bias towards members affiliated with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Commission pointed to the constitutional provision for the appointment of its members and recalled instances during Mahama’s Presidency where similar concerns were raised regarding appointments made by him.
The EC refuted Mahama’s assertion that Ghana’s electoral processes had deteriorated, citing improvements made in each election cycle. They highlighted the successful conduct of the 2020 elections, which saw shorter queues, reduced costs, and increased efficiency in voter registration despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse weather conditions. The Commission also pointed to international praise for the transparency and integrity of the 2020 elections.
“It is not surprising that the former President of Liberia, H.E. Johnson Sirleaf asked African countries to emulate the exemplary elections of Ghana. Any suggestions that improvements in our electoral processes ended in 2016 are not borne by the facts, and seem part of the continual efforts to discredit the Commission in order to perpetuate the false narrative about the Commission.”
Mr. Fred Tetteh, Deputy Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation
Regarding Mahama’s allegation of irregularities in the recruitment of returning officers, the EC vehemently denied these claims, asserting that the process was conducted openly, fairly, and transparently. They emphasized that all successful applicants had significant prior experience working with the Commission.
The EC is working on improving its transparency and accountability measures to ensure that the electoral process is open and accessible to all stakeholders. This includes making the recruitment process for returning officers and other temporary staff more transparent and ensuring that all decisions made by the Commission are clearly documented and justified.
EC’s Neutrality in Doubt
Mahama criticized the EC, accusing its officers of being recruiters for the current government led by Akufo-Addo, and questioned the EC’s management of the 2020 election. He also raised concerns about the appointment of individuals with known partisan records to the Commission, suggesting that this could compromise the integrity of the electoral process. Mahama’s comments highlighted his skepticism about the EC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections, particularly in the context of the political climate in Ghana.
“Recently there was an announcement of recruitment of returning officers, and the information we have is that ministers and DCEs (District Chief Executives) and others were asked to write the names of party apparatchiki and present them so that they would be appointed as the returning officers. Are these people going to be neutral?”
Former President John Dramani Mahama
The EC is engaging with various stakeholders, including opposition parties, civil society, and the public, to discuss and implement electoral reforms. This engagement is aimed at addressing any concerns or allegations of bias or irregularities in the electoral process and ensuring that the Commission operates with integrity and credibility.
The EC urged stakeholders to disseminate information accurately and responsibly, reaffirming its commitment to conducting transparent, credible, and fair elections. Mr. Fred Tetteh, Deputy Director of Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation, emphasized the Commission’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of integrity and protecting the sanctity of Ghana’s electoral process.
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