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Former President John Dramani Mahama has raised concerns about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) commitment to its guiding principles of “transparency, fairness, and integrity,” citing its recent actions during the balloting process. According to Mahama, the Commission seems to favor “secrecy over transparency.”
Speaking at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Christian Faith Church International in Sekondi, located in the Western Region, Mahama noted that it is not only the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that is disappointed with the EC’s refusal to allow an audit of the voters’ register—a practice previously employed to build trust in the electoral process.
“Civil society organizations, diplomats, and the international community are all expressing disappointment at this refusal to be accountable to the stakeholders,” he said.
Mahama emphasized that while the nation’s mood calls for peace, true peace can only be achieved with justice. He called for collective efforts to ensure the electoral process gains the confidence of all stakeholders to guarantee peaceful and credible elections.
“And that is what the NDC is committed to doing,” he stated, underscoring his party’s dedication to upholding the integrity of the elections.
Despite his concerns regarding the EC’s actions, Mahama expressed hope that the upcoming Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting scheduled for October 1 would provide a platform to address the issues surrounding the voters’ register.
“My understanding is that there is an IPAC meeting on 1st October, and it is my hope that the meeting will find a solution to the current impasse we face over the electoral register,” he said.
Mahama urged the Electoral Commission to reflect on its responsibilities and fulfill its mandate to ensure successful elections. He also called on religious bodies, including the church, to actively engage in safeguarding the nation’s democracy.
“It is my prayer that the church, our religious bodies, and all, will not just observe happenings passively but will actively speak up in order to protect the democracy that we have worked so hard to achieve.”
In his concluding remarks, Mahama called for unity and compassion among Ghanaians during these challenging times, stressing the importance of solidarity and empathy.
“In these difficult times, we cannot afford to turn against one another. We need to be united and express compassion to our fellow Ghanaians. This is the time for fellow feeling,” he added.
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