Don't be a 'dictator' - Sorogo to Jean Mensa

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs Jean Mensa, must not erase all the successes she inherited at the Commission from her predecessors, a former Member of Parliament for Madina, Mr Amadu Sorogo, has said.

Mr Sorogo explained that although the EC is independent, it must take into account concerns expressed by political parties on its decisions, especially on the plan to compile a new register of voters because the election management body will not have any work to do if the parties are not in existence.

The ex-lawmaker’s comments follow remarks by the EC that no individual or authority can direct or control it as far as carrying out its constitutional mandate is concerned.

In a statement bearing the signature of its Acting Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Sylvia Annor, the EC said it has “noted, with grave concern, comments made by Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu during a press conference held on 7 May 2020 that sought to attack the integrity and mandate of the Electoral Commission as well as the creation of an erroneous impression in the minds of the general public on its attitude as far as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned”.

Among other things, Mr Iddrisu told the media that EC Chair Jean Mensa, “sometimes, also comes to us as if she is running an NGO”, adding: “Let her be reminded that she is running the Electoral Commission of Ghana – a state institution expected to be independent”.

He also said: “The Constitution provides for a terminal end of the mandate of the President and Members of Parliament after every four years and presidential and parliamentary elections ought to be conducted and conducted by the availability and presence of a credible voter register, which is the responsibility of that Commission. No excuse will be accepted.”

“The fact that it is not ready means somebody is incompetent or somebody is not up to the particular task,” Mr Iddrisu added.

Speaking on the Ghana Yensom show on Accra100.5FM on Tuesday, 12 May 2020, Mr Sorogo said: “Even though the EC is independent, it works for Ghanaians and, so, their indolence should not make them dictators.”

“The EC should know that without political parties, they will not have any work to do and, so, the chairperson should not be a dictator”.

“Jean Mensa has to build on the successes of her two predecessors and not to destroy it.”

Mr Sorogo further wondered why the EC will change a voter register that is faultless ahead of the December polls at a time the country is facing the coronavirus.

“Why change a register that has no problem, a register that was used for a successful District Assembly election?”