The Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), Madam Jean Mensah, is expected to appear before parliament today to speak about the Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) which her outfit is planning to use as the primary document for voter registration in the 2024 general elections.
She is expected to appear in the House to assist in the provision of information for the drafting of the C.I.
Majority Leader, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu made this known to members on the floor of the House last week Friday.
It would be recalled that the EC Chair was to appear before the House last Thursday to answer questions on its decision to use the Ghana Card as the sole identification document for voter compilation and the 2024 elections, but she could not show up.
Although Dr Bossman Asare, Deputy Chair for Corporate Services, attended the meeting, together with other Directors of the Commission, the Minority refused to give them audience, stating that they wanted the Commissioner herself.
Consequently, the meeting was cancelled based on the Minority’s insistence on the presence of the EC Chairperson at the meeting.
The Commission, on Sunday, issued a statement explaining why Madam Jean Mensa could not honour the invitation of Parliament.
According to the letter, the Chairperson had been invited for an election observer mission in Nigeria, hence her absence and why her two deputies had to represent her in Parliament.
“For the attention of the General Public, the EC received a letter from Parliament on Wednesday, 22nd February, 2023 inviting the Commission to brief the leadership of the House on the draft C.I on the registration of voters on Thursday, 23rd February, 2024.
“At the time the Chairperson had travelled to Nigeria at the invitation of ECOWAS/ECONEC for a peer exchange and election observation mission”, portions of the statement explained.
The letter was also used to address comments that the EC chair has no respect for parliament, hence her refusal to show up.
The Commission indicated that the EC Chair respects Parliament and would have appeared if only she was available.
“The fact remains that the invitation from Parliament was sent a day before the meeting, at a time when the Chairperson was out of the jurisdiction. Had she been aware of the request prior to her travel, she certainly would have prioritised the meeting and attended upon the Honorable House.
“The Commission, especially its Chairperson, understands the importance of the institution of Parliament, having worked with Parliament for two decades prior to her appointment as Chairperson of the EC.
“The Chairperson upholds the institution of Parliament and will, therefore, not disrespect it in any way.”
Meanwhile, the Minority in Parliament has reiterated its strong opposition to the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to lay a Constitutional Instrument (C.I) which makes the Ghana Card the sole identification document for voter registration.
Fireworks are, therefore, expected as the two ‘combatants’ meet today.
