The Special Aide to former President John Dramani Mahama, Joyce Bawah Mogtari Esq. has expressed deep concerns over what she described as a worrying conduct of the Electoral Commission of Ghana under the leadership of Madam Jean Mensah.
The private legal practitioner and former Deputy Minister of Transport under the erstwhile Mahama’s administration, strongly asserted that some conduct of the Electoral Commission in the past and in recent times signal a dire need for vigilant scrutiny over its neutrality and fairness ahead of the 2024 general elections.
“The leadership of the Electoral Commission (EC) has conducted itself in a manner which leaves one with little to no doubt that, the EC’s neutrality, impartiality and fairness regarding registration of voters and conduct of elections needs to watched closely”.
Joyce Bawah Mogtari Esq.
Lawyer Joyce Bawah Mogtari, began by accusing the Electoral Commission of Ghana under the leadership, Madam Jean Mensah of deliberatively denying the people of Satrofi, Akpafu, Lolobi and Likpe (SALL) parliamentary representation in the eight Parliament.
She also expressed disappointment at the Commission’s failure to take urgent actions for nearly four years, to rewrite the wrong it did to the people of SALL on the eve of the December 7 2020 general elections and posited that the conduct of the Commission cast a shadow over its commitment to democratic principles.
Furthermore, Lawyer Joyce Bawah Mogtari criticized the Electoral Commission’s recent limited registration exercise, decrying its deliberate restriction of registration venues to district offices, which she argued were mostly often inaccessible to many Ghanaians, especially those residing in rural and riverside areas.
She noted that despite mounting public outcry and legal suit against the Electoral Commission’s previous limited registration over legitimate issues, the commission proceeded unabated, drawing support and applause from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to conduct the exercise.
The former President’s Aide further highlighted what she described as a disturbing trend wherein the Electoral Commission of Ghana under the leadership of Madam Jean Mensah, once its decisions align with the interests of the ruling New Patriotic Party, forges ahead regardless of opposition from other political parties.
She strongly asserted that such trend of conduct by the Electoral Commission raises serious doubts about the Commission’s ability to discharge its mandate impartially.
Stressing on the Electoral Commission’s track record, which Lawyer Mogtari described as not reflective of the Commission’s mandate, she cautioned that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) remain vigilant and proactive ahead of the process leading to the December 7 polls.
Lawyer Mogtari, particularly urged the leaders of the opposition National Democratic Congress to ensure that the Electoral Commission prioritizes fairness and impartiality in the selection of its officers for the upcoming registration exercise.
NDC To Demand Forensic Audit Of EC’s IT System
Meanwhile, the Deputy National Organizer for the National Democratic Congress, Elikem Kotoko has emphasized that the opposition party will demand a thorough audit of the Electoral Commission of Ghana’s IT system before the December 7 polls.
Mr Kotoko, argued that decision by the opposition party is to ascertain the extent of compromise or otherwise of the Commission’s IT systems.
He also stressed that the National Democratic Congress would demand from the Commission its criteria in recruiting Returning Officers and their deputies before the December 7 polls.
“With less than 50 days to a major registration exercise and the news breaking of some registration lots of the EC reportedly missing or stolen, we will not under any circumstances welcome any attempt by anyone to either subvert the will of the people”.
Elikem Kotoko
The Deputy National Organizer for the opposition National Democratic Congress concluded his remarks by assuring party’s supporters and the general public of the party’s commitment to defend the will of Ghanaians in the 2024 general elections.
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