By: Daniel Yao Akpabli | ignewss — Accra, Ghana
President John Dramani Mahama has charged two newly appointed Deputy Chairpersons of the Electoral Commission (EC), Joseph Kwaku Asamoah and Emilia Afi Agbenyo, to discharge their constitutional responsibilities with independence, fairness and impartiality.
Administering the oath of office to the two officials, the President stressed that the Electoral Commission must operate without favouring the government, the opposition or any political party.
He said neither he nor his administration should receive preferential treatment from the electoral management body, insisting that all political parties and candidates must be treated equally under the law.
President Mahama said the credibility of Ghana’s democratic system depended on the Commission’s ability to conduct its affairs fairly and ensure that the electoral process reflected the will of the people.
He emphasised that every eligible citizen must have the opportunity to vote and that every valid ballot must be counted.
The President also underscored the importance of maintaining public confidence in the Commission, urging the new Deputy Chairpersons to promote transparency and strengthen engagement with political parties, civil society organisations, the media and the electorate.
According to him, the Commission must be responsive to legitimate electoral concerns, investigate complaints promptly and correct errors whenever they occur.
He said accountability and open communication were essential to protecting the institution’s credibility and preventing avoidable disputes that could undermine confidence in elections.
On the use of technology in elections, President Mahama urged the Commission to proceed cautiously with modernisation, ensuring that any digital systems introduced were thoroughly tested and supported by appropriate safeguards.
He said technological innovations must be accompanied by transparent public communication to help build confidence in their reliability and effectiveness.
The President further called on the Commission to address barriers that could prevent sections of the population from participating fully in elections.
He specifically mentioned persons with disabilities, older people, women, young voters and residents of remote communities, stressing the need for an electoral system that accommodates all eligible voters.
Congratulating Mr Asamoah and Ms Agbenyo on their appointments, President Mahama urged them to approach their responsibilities with courage, wisdom and professional integrity.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa; the Chairperson of the Council of State, Rt Hon Edward Doe Adjaho; and other senior government officials.
The new appointments come with expectations that the Commission will continue to uphold the constitutional principles of independence, fairness and transparency in the management of Ghana’s elections.
SOURCE: www.ignewss.com