February 11, 2025

Jean Mensa Assures: “All Our Materials Are in the Field; We’re Fully Prepared for the Election”

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Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, has assured the public that the Commission is fully prepared for the 2024 general elections, which are set to take place on December 7. In an interview with Joy News, Mensa confirmed that all election-related processes, including the necessary deployments and training, would be completed by November 29, 2024, ahead of the voting day. Her comments came during a ceremony held in Accra, where all 12 presidential candidates committed to ensuring peace before, during, and after the elections.

In her statement, Jean Mensa expressed the EC’s commitment to delivering a transparent and robust electoral process. “We are ready. All our materials are on the field, our training is taking place, and we are committed to ensuring transparent, robust electoral processes,” she said. She also emphasized that the EC would announce the will of the people as expressed through their votes at the polls and encouraged all presidential candidates to accept the results of the election once they were declared. Mensa’s remarks were aimed at reassuring the public that the EC was fully prepared to conduct the election in a manner that reflects the democratic will of the people.

However, her reassurance comes at a time when the EC has been faced with a challenge related to a shortage of both presidential and parliamentary ballot papers in five constituencies in the Volta Region. These constituencies—Keta, Ketu North, Ho Central, Hohoe, and Ho West—are crucial regions in the upcoming election, and the reported ballot shortfall has raised concerns among political parties and the electorate. The EC acknowledged the issue and assured the public that steps were being taken to address it.

To resolve the shortage, the EC has announced that additional ballot papers will be printed at Acts Commercials Printing House in Accra. The Commission has outlined plans to ensure that the printing process is conducted swiftly and efficiently, without causing any delays to the election schedule. In an official letter sent to the representatives of all presidential candidates, the EC confirmed that the additional ballots would be printed and distributed in time for the election.

The Commission also took steps to ensure transparency and accountability during the printing process. In order to avoid any suspicion or concerns about the integrity of the ballots, the EC has requested that all political parties and independent presidential candidates send two representatives each to observe the printing of the ballot papers. This move is aimed at providing independent oversight and confirming that the ballots are being printed in compliance with the law.

The observation of the printing process is scheduled for Friday morning, with Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chair of Operations at the EC, offering reassurance to the public. He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election, emphasizing that the EC was taking all necessary steps to preserve the integrity of the electoral process. Tettey’s comments were meant to build public confidence in the EC’s ability to manage the election, despite the challenges posed by the ballot shortage.

The EC’s proactive steps to address the shortage of ballots and the provision of transparency measures are part of its broader strategy to maintain the credibility of the upcoming election. Jean Mensa’s earlier statement underscores the Commission’s determination to ensure that the election is conducted in a manner that is both transparent and inclusive. She also called for peace throughout the election period, urging all stakeholders—especially the presidential candidates—to respect the electoral process and accept the results once they are announced.

The assurance of readiness and the efforts to resolve the ballot shortage issue come as the electoral process enters its final stages. With election day fast approaching, the EC is under significant pressure to ensure that all processes are completed on time and that any challenges, such as the ballot shortage, are swiftly addressed. While some political figures have expressed concerns over the situation, the EC has taken measures to restore confidence, such as calling for independent oversight and transparency in the printing process.

Jean Mensa’s comments and the EC’s proactive steps in resolving the ballot shortage demonstrate the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that the 2024 general elections proceed smoothly and without disruption. With all election materials in place and the training of personnel underway, the EC appears poised to deliver a credible election. The call for peace and cooperation from all parties is a reminder that the success of the election relies not only on the EC’s actions but also on the willingness of all stakeholders to engage in a peaceful and transparent electoral process.

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