EC has failed to live up to its principles – Mahama

Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has said that the refusal of the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensah to testify in court has deepened the grave doubts harboured by many Ghanaians about the outcome of the December 2020 presidential election.

Speaking after the dismissal of his petition by the supreme court on Thursday, March 4, the former president expressed his dissatisfaction in the trial proceedings, accusing the supreme court of aiding Mrs Jane Mensah to evade public scrutiny.

Our requests for inspection of documents in possession of the commission, and admission of facts were turned down.”

“And worst still , she (EC Chair) was aided by her council and court to avoid explaining to the good people of Ghana from her own testimony under oath in a public constituted court of law , the error she herself admits to have committed in the declaration of the 2020 presidential election results”

He declared that the proceedings of the court was a clear stab in the heart of transparency and accountability and the Electoral Commission has failed to live up to its principles .

“The motto of Ghana’s Electoral Commission is ‘ Transparency, Fairness and Integrity. Principles that the key actors of the Electoral Commission clearly fail to live up to on this occasion.”

He maintained that the refusal of the chairperson of the electoral commission , Mrs. Jean Mensah to testify in court had left a dangerous precedent for the future, as such approaches of opacity and unaccountability maybe emulated by other heads of state institutions.

By Belinda Baaba Baidoo