Former President John Dramani Mahama’s past statements on the Electoral Commission’s (EC) credibility are resurfacing as Ghana heads toward the 2024 general elections, putting his National Democratic Congress (NDC) in an uncomfortable position.
Mahama, who is leading his party into another election battle, now faces criticism for what appears to be a stark contradiction in his stance toward the electoral body.
Ahead of the 2016 general elections, while addressing an audience in Bordeaux, France, Mahama had lavished praise on Ghana’s electoral system.
“Ghana has an Electoral Commission that is independent and does not consult the President on anything,” he stated confidently, dismissing any suggestions that the EC could rig an election in favour of any political party.
He described claims of the EC favouring him as “absurd nonsense,” going further to affirm that Ghana’s electoral process had built-in mechanisms to guarantee the integrity of the vote.
At the time, Mahama spoke highly of the EC, describing it as “one of the best in the world—not just in Africa, but globally.”
However, since the NDC’s loss in the 2016 election, Mahama and his party have changed their tone, launching a series of attacks on the EC.
These criticisms have escalated in recent years, with the NDC accusing the EC of incompetence and bias, especially following the party’s defeat in the 2020 elections.
The EC, under the leadership of Jean Mensa, has faced constant scrutiny from the opposition party, with allegations ranging from voter suppression to the manipulation of the electoral register.
Mahama’s reversal on the issue has raised eyebrows. His previous strong defence of the EC contrasts sharply with the NDC’s current strategy, which involves questioning the credibility of the very institution he once praised.
This shift has sparked concerns about the consistency of his views and his commitment to democratic institutions.
Critics argue that Mahama’s shift appears politically motivated, aimed at discrediting the EC to set the stage for contesting potential outcomes of the 2024 elections.
On Tuesday, September 17, the NDC plans to stage nationwide protests, claiming issues with the electoral register, despite having provided little concrete evidence to substantiate these claims.
This upcoming protest is seen by some as a continuation of the party’s efforts to undermine public trust in the EC.
Mahama’s critics argue that his current attacks on the EC are reckless, especially given the critical role the institution plays in maintaining the stability of Ghana’s democratic system.
“For someone who once held the highest office in the land, it is shocking to see him undermining a key state institution purely for political gain.”
“Mahama should be the first to understand the importance of protecting state institutions, yet he seems determined to erode the public’s trust in them,” said a political analyst.
The growing divide between Mahama’s past praise and his current criticism of the EC may put the NDC in an awkward position as the election approaches.
The party has yet to offer clear explanations for the apparent contradiction in their stance, leading to increased scepticism about the motivation behind their persistent attacks.
As the political temperature heats up, the focus will likely remain on how Mahama and the NDC navigate the tension between their current rhetoric and the former president’s past defence of the EC’s integrity.
With the 2024 elections fast approaching, the credibility of Ghana’s electoral system remains a central issue in the public discourse. Whether Mahama’s previous praise for the EC will come back to haunt him remains to be seen, but it certainly raises questions about the consistency of his leadership as he seeks a return to power.