The Electoral Commission (EC) has denied responsibility over claims that it is responsible for the loss of lives that occurred during the 2020 general elections.
According to the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, it is not the constitutional mandate of the election management body to protect lives during elections, although the entire exercise is under its watch.
“An exceedingly disturbing factor is the violence that occurred in about five centres that led to the death of seven citizens of our dear country. Although the violence was not widespread, one life lost is a life too many. Here also there is a tendency for fingers to be pointed at the EC when security is not the core mandate of the commission,” Mensa said at a two-day retreat for political parties and development partners to review the 2020 elections.
She added: “I read the constitution, and security during election is not one of our core mandates. I use this occasion to clarify that the Electoral Commission is not responsible for electoral security.”
Mensa also called on the Ghana Police Service to speed up with their investigations into the electoral violence that marred the 2020 general elections and prosecute the culprits.
“I take this opportunity on behalf of the commission to call on the Ghana Police Service to speed up their investigations and to bring the culprits to book, the families of the victims, the citizens of Ghana and indeed the international communities are waiting for justice to be done,” she noted.
Elliot Nuertey
Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
Follow us on Twitter: @asaaseradio995
#asaaseradio #TVO
