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Petition Calls for Removal of EC Chair Jean Mensa and Deputies Over Constitutional Violations

  • Jan 28, 2025
  • 2 min read

A petition filed on January 27, 2025, is calling for the removal of Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa, her deputies Samuel Tetteh and Dr. Bossman Eric Asare, as well as EC member Dr. Peter Appiahene. The petition accuses them of constitutional breaches, incompetence, and bias that undermine public trust in the EC’s impartiality and integrity.


Petition Demands Removal of EC Chairperson Jean Mensa
Petition Demands Removal of EC Chairperson Jean Mensa

The petitioner, hailing from the Volta Region, highlighted the disenfranchisement of voters from the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) areas during the 2020 parliamentary elections. This exclusion, the petitioner argued, was a breach of Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees every Ghanaian the right to vote.


“For over four years, the people of SALL were deprived of their constitutional right to parliamentary representation, leaving them without a voice in the legislative process,” the petition stated.


The petitioner further claimed that the disenfranchisement may have influenced the parliamentary balance of power, as the SALL vote could have potentially shifted the hung parliament in favor of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).


Constitutional Breaches and Bias


The petition accuses Jean Mensa and her deputies of actions that eroded public confidence in the EC’s impartiality, citing Articles 23 and 296 of the Constitution. These articles emphasize fairness, impartiality, and adherence to constitutional obligations by public officials.


Specific allegations include:

  • Poor management during the 2020 elections, marked by errors in presidential election results.

  • Partisan behavior by commissioners, including social media posts by Dr. Bossman Asare that allegedly displayed bias against the opposition prior to his appointment.


“The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, in concert with her deputies, has demonstrated gross incompetence in the performance of her duties,” the petition asserted.


Historical Context and Past Allegations


Jean Mensa, appointed EC Chairperson in July 2018 after the removal of Charlotte Osei, has faced similar petitions in the past:

  1. August 2020: A petition by the Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) alleged asset declaration failures but was dismissed after she took remedial steps.

  2. August 2022: The Fix the Country Movement petitioned the Presidency over the exclusion of SALL voters.


What the Petition Demands


The petitioner is urging President John Dramani Mahama to act under Article 146 of the Constitution. The reliefs sought include:

  • Declaring the disenfranchisement of SALL voters unconstitutional.

  • Removing the EC Chairperson and implicated deputies from office.

  • Instituting reforms to restore public confidence in the electoral process.


Implications for Ghana’s Electoral Integrity

The petition comes at a critical time when the credibility of Ghana’s electoral process is under scrutiny. The allegations, if proven, could further strain public trust in the EC ahead of future elections.

The Presidency has yet to comment on the petition. However, the call for accountability and reform underscores the public’s demand for transparency and impartiality in Ghana’s electoral system.


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