Professor Kobby Mensah, a political marketer and lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, has expressed serious concerns about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) trustworthiness as the 2024 general elections approach.
During an interview on Ahotor FM‘s morning show ‘AdeKyee Mu Nsem‘ with host Citizen Kofi Owusu, Prof. Mensah highlighted the significant lack of confidence in the EC.
He emphasized the potential dangers of this distrust, especially if political parties feel compelled to use their systems instead of relying on the EC. “If political parties resort to their systems, what will happen in December? How can we ensure a peaceful election without any upheaval?” he questioned.
The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have recently clashed over the EC’s voter transfer exercise, which is taking place in various regions across the country. This exercise, which includes the transfer of votes, applications for proxy voting, and the replacement of lost or damaged voter ID cards, began on May 30, 2024, and will conclude on June 14, 2024.
In light of the ongoing disputes between the NPP and NDC regarding the voter transfer process, Prof. Mensah called for a comprehensive reform of the EC.
He stressed that if political parties do not trust the EC, relying on their systems for the upcoming elections is not a viable solution.
He reaffirmed the EC’s essential role: “The Electoral Commission is the only body authorized to declare the winner of the elections. No system used by the political parties can override this mandate.”
LISTEN TO PROF. KOBBY MENSAH IN THIS AUDIO BELOW:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites) / Ahotoronline.com
