Mark Ewusi Arko, convener of Election Watch Ghana, believes Madam Jane Mensa’s decision to vote in the elections was perfectly legal.
Madam Jane Mensa, Electoral Commissioner, took part in the Special Voting Exercise by voting in the La-Dadekotopon constituency of the Greater Accra Region.
Some argue that despite having the constitutional right to vote, he should have abstained from voting so that she could remain neutral as the presidential election’s returning officer.
However, Mark Ewusi Arko, who commented on the issue, disagreed, stating that the commissioner has the right to vote and cannot be criticised for carrying out her civic duty.
He argued that if that was the suggestion by people, then all other electoral officials must stay away from the polls.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he noted that ‘’I think that Madam Jane Mensa is a Ghanaian and has the right to vote just as everyone has the right to vote. There is no law that prevents her from voting. Any attempt to stop her from voting will amount to an infringement on her rights as a Ghanaian. For me, it is never out of place for her vote. It doesn’t matter the political party she decides to vote for. Provided she is a Ghanaian, she has the right to vote,’’ he told host Kwabena Agyapong.
He said,’She is a Ghanaian, and every Ghanaian has the right to vote. If the constitution is not asking her not to vote in order to stay neutral, she has every right to vote. Afari Gyan voted, and so I don’t think it was wrong for her to vote. If that is the argument, then all officials at the EC are not supposed to vote, including the temporal staff as well as the police, military, and other security officials”.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
