Jean Mensa
The Electoral Commission (EC) has moved swiftly to address growing concerns about the deployment of military personnel to polling stations, clarifying that it has no hand in security arrangements related to the elections.
This development comes on the heels of an announcement by the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) regarding the deployment of military personnel to designated locations for election security.
According to Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the EC, the Commission’s role is limited to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, and it does not involve itself in security planning.
“In terms of security, we have no hand in it and we do not make security arrangements,” Ms Mensa emphasized during an update on December 7.
This clarification is significant, given the controversy surrounding the military’s involvement in the electoral process.
The GAF has maintained that no military officers will be stationed at polling stations, but the EC’s reassurance is crucial in alleviating concerns about potential voter intimidation or manipulation.
The EC’s non-involvement in security arrangements is not a new development. In previous elections, the Commission has consistently maintained its independence and focused on its core mandate of conducting elections.
However, the current election has been marked by increased tensions and allegations of electoral manipulation, making the EC’s clarification timely and necessary.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been vocal about its concerns regarding the military’s involvement in the electoral process, with its flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, accusing the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of conspiring with the EC to compromise the outcome of the elections.
BY Daniel Bampoe