Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Madam Jean Adukewei Mensa has said the 2020 Election and its attendant violence and deaths could not be attributed to the commission.
According to her, the 7 deaths that were recorded at 5 centres across the nation cannot be laid at the doorsteps of the EC since they were not in charge of election security.
Speaking at the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting to review the 2020 election, said the EC is not mandated by law to ensure security at election centres.
“I use this occasion to clarify that the Electoral Commission is not responsible for election security. The entire electoral process and its success rest on our shoulders, but our mandate as enshrined in the Constitution does not include security.
“We collaborate and partner with our security agencies in their quest to carry out their responsibility of ensuring peace, law, and order at all centres throughout the country.”
“We need to define clearly without a shadow of a doubt whose responsibility it is to guarantee security on Election day and to place that responsibility on their shoulders.
“Additionally, we need to apply the laws to ensure that the perpetrators of the violence are dealt with decisively,” she added.
Jean Mensa also encouraged the police to expedite their investigations to ensure that those found culpable are brought to book.
“I take this opportunity to call upon the Police Service and the National Elections Task Force to speed up their investigations and bring the culprits to book. The families of the victims, the citizens of Ghana, and the international community are waiting for justice to be done.”
Source: TheBBCghana.Com
