A resident of Ghana’s Volta Region has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to remove Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa, her two deputies Samuel Tetteh and Dr. Bossman Eric Asare and EC member Dr. Peter Appiahene from office. The petition, filed on Monday, January 27, 2025, alleges constitutional breaches, incompetence, and actions undermining public trust in the Commission.
The petitioner accuses the EC of violating fundamental human rights under Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution, specifically citing the disenfranchisement of voters in the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) areas during the 2020 parliamentary elections. This, he argues, deprived residents of their constitutional right to parliamentary representation, an act that allegedly influenced the balance of power in a closely divided Parliament.
The petitioner claims that the EC’s decision to exclude SALL voters from the 2020 parliamentary elections was “deliberate” and politically motivated. He alleges that this exclusion was designed to prevent the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) from gaining a majority in Parliament. “For over four years, the people of SALL were left without representation in Parliament, depriving them of their voice in the legislative process,” the petition states. The petitioner further alleges that the EC’s handling of the 2020 elections was marred by errors, poor management, and partisan bias, particularly regarding the management of election results and preparations.
Specific accusations were made against Dr. Bossman Asare and Dr. Peter Appiahene for displaying overt political bias through social media comments prior to their appointments. According to the petitioner, these actions compromise the impartiality required of electoral commissioners.
The petition calls on President Mahama to act under Article 146 of the 1992 Constitution to begin removal proceedings against the officials. The petitioner emphasized the need to restore public confidence in the electoral process, submitting evidence to support allegations of incompetence, bias, and constitutional violations.
This development highlights ongoing concerns over the independence and credibility of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, which has faced scrutiny from opposition groups and civil society organizations in recent years.
Source:NKONKONSA.com