The Eastern Regional Secretariat of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has launched a scathing attack on the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensah, accusing her of bias and manipulation in the aftermath of the 2024 parliamentary elections.
According to the party, the EC is scheming to secure additional seats for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Eastern Region, undermining electoral fairness and justice.
In a press release signed by Baba Jamal Konneh, Eastern Regional Secretary of the NDC, the party alleged that Jean Mensah has consistently favoured the NPP since assuming office as EC Chairperson.
“Jean Mensah does not mean well for Ghana. Upon her assumption as EC chair, she has been doing the bidding of the NPP. After jointly suffering their most humiliating defeat, she is stubbornly pushing her diabolic plan to secure additional seats for the NPP,” the statement read.
The NDC detailed allegations of irregularities in four constituencies in the Eastern Region—Fanteakwa North, Nsawam, Akwatia, and Suhum.
The party claims the Returning Officer declared the results in favour of the NDC candidate, Hon. Apaw Wiredu Harun. However, the EC and NPP “dragged” the Deputy Returning Officer to Tesano Police Training School to “illegally redeclare” the results for the NPP candidate.
“Jean Mensah is telling us that the Returning Officer’s declaration with the statutory authority to declare parliamentary results does not hold, but that of the Deputy Returning Officer does. Funny!” the statement mocked.
The party criticized the EC for ignoring a court injunction halting the process in Nsawam and questioned why Jean Mensah refused to mention the issue is currently in court.
The NDC accused the EC of collating results with only NPP agents and their parliamentary candidate in Akwatia, excluding NDC representatives.
“Do you call that fairness?” the party questioned.
The NDC alleged that in Suhum six polling station results were omitted and yet the EC proceeded with the declaration.
“In some cases, Jean Mensah claims she cannot accept a declaration because three polling stations have not been added, but in Suhum, she accepts a declaration without six polling stations because it favours the NPP,” the statement asserted.
The NDC further accused Jean Mensah of hypocrisy, citing her past advice for the party to seek redress in court over disputed results.
“In 2020, Jean Mensah told us to go to court after the Returning Officers declared results in favour of the NPP. Today, she claims certain declarations cannot be upheld because they were made under duress. Is Jean Mensah now a court of competent jurisdiction?” the party queried.
The NDC vowed to resist any attempt to manipulate the results, warning Jean Mensah to respect the mandates of the Returning Officers.
“Jean Mensah should remember that she is not the Returning Officer for the parliamentary elections. We will fearlessly and radically resist any illegal manoeuvring to alter the course of justice,” the statement warned.
The NDC’s accusations have heightened tensions in the Eastern Region, with calls from civil society groups urging the EC to ensure transparency and fairness in resolving disputes.
