The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Mensa has said that the commission members are not in office to do the bidding of President Akufo-Addo. According to her, they were in office to serve the nation, and in doing so, they were determined to be fair to all.
Mrs Mensa said this in Accra Tuesday [December 3, 2019] at the inauguration of a 21-member Eminent Advisory Committee to, among other things, enhance interactions between the EC and Ghanaians.
As a commission, she said “we are determined to ensure a level playing field for stakeholders; the political parties. We are determined to be fair, transparent and accessible to all - not to one political party or a few, but to all.”
“Indeed since our assumption of office, we have been trying our best to do just that. To this end, we have held regular IPAC meetings where we present our activities in an open and transparent manner. We have ensured regular information sharing with all our stakeholders and we have maintained an open-door policy. And yet, notwithstanding these and other efforts, suspicion about our independence remains high," she said.
“I believe that this suspicion is linked to the mode of appointment of public holders such as ourselves. As a result of a sitting president appointing us, it is perceived that we are here to do the president’s bidding. I am here to assure you all that this commission is not cast in that mould.”
Mrs Mensa said the EC was instituting systems and structures to ensure credibility in the country’s elections.
“We recently introduced a code of conduct to guide and regulate all field officers of the EC, both temporary and permanent. The code governs our operations in the field before, during and after elections and includes stringent sanctions upon staff who violate its provisions,” she said.
Source: graphic.com.gh
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. |
Jean Mensah and those who advised her to set up this advisory committee are not thoughtful. Ghana has two for EC bosses who are still alive and kicking. If you are looking for an advisor on elections the first and foremost thought will be to get experts in electoral issues. How will you choose someone like Duncan Williams and not consider Dr Afari Gyan. I don't get it. Let's say, as for Charlotte Osei, because you succeeded her under strange circumstances, you may not like to bring her on board, that is understandable, but to ignore someone like Dr Afari Gyan means you have a camouflage motive for setting up this advisory committee.
I think you should have been part of this advisory committee. You have great wisdom
In indeed if you will be fair then advice that moron deputy of yours to be circumspect in his public utterances. You used to talk too much in public, but it seems like you have learnt your lessons. Your loud mouth deputy should learn from you and stop his unnecessary attacks on opposition and also taking entrenched positions in electoral issues. A referee doesn't make friends on the field of play. A referee is supposed to be neutral, that is while in soccer they give red card when they see a bad foul. Yellow card for caution. You can't be smiling all the time to with competing teams.
That is exactly what you are doing, stop the lies
THEN PLAY YOUR GAME FAIRLY FOR ALL TO SEE. AND COMMENT THAT COME FROM YOUR OFFICIAL TOO SPEAK A LOT.
IT IS NOT YOUR WILL NOT TO DO THE BIDDING OF NANA ADDO BUT SOCIETAL PRESSURE ALONE IS ENOUGH TO STOP YOU FROM DOING THE BIDDING OF THE PRESIDENT WHO APPOINTED YOU PEOPLE. WE ARE ALL WIDE AWAKE AND WILL ENSURE THAT YOU (EC CHAIR) DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN WAY.