Story by, Nsor Paul Mensah
Accra, Ghana - The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Jean Mensa, has outlined the commission's efforts to ensure transparent, fair, and credible elections in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary polls.
Addressing the media that included a delegation from the Uganda Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa emphasized the three key principles guiding the commission's work - transparency, inclusiveness, and responsiveness.
"We started the year poised and ready to deliver transparent, fair, credible and peaceful elections and electoral processes, Jean Mensa stated. "We were conscious that what we invest and inject into our processes was critical in ensuring the peaceful and acceptable outcomes that we so desired."
Highlighting the commission's actions during voter registration in May, Jean Mensa said they heightened transparency by providing the public with detailed infographics on registration numbers across the country. Political parties were also given daily reports on the registration progress.
"This level of transparency and responsiveness employed by the Commission helped to minimize the tensions and suspicions that usually characterize voter registration exercises," she noted.
The commission also took steps to exhibit the provisional voter register both physically and online, allowing citizens to verify their details. When concerns were raised about the initial verification fee, the commission waived it, enabling free access.
"In the same spirit of transparency and responsiveness, we re-exhibited the provisional voters register when concerns were raised about its credibility," Madam Mensah added.
The briefing underscores Ghana's efforts to deliver a peaceful, inclusive, and credible electoral process as the country prepares for the crucial polls. The commission's focus on transparency and engagement with stakeholders aims to build trust and confidence in the electoral system.