Mrs. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, calls for African electoral authorities to eliminate rejected ballots, viewing them as detrimental to democracy. During the 12th General Assembly of the Association of African Election Authorities, solutions such as e-voting and public education were discussed to ensure every vote is counted. The assembly also focused on electing new leaders and developing a five-year strategic plan for the association.
Mrs. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, has urged African electoral management bodies to strive for zero rejected ballots to enhance democracy across the continent. She highlighted that the prevalent issue of rejected ballots represents a significant failure in democratic processes, emphasizing the importance of ensuring every vote is counted.
During her remarks at the conclusion of the 12th General Assembly of the Association of African Election Authorities in Accra, Mrs. Mensa indicated that the high incidence of rejected ballots could seriously undermine electoral credibility. She called on electoral management bodies to adopt effective solutions such as electronic voting, redesigning ballot papers, and enhancing public education on voting methods.
Mrs. Mensa stressed that it is not sufficient merely to provide ballot papers; education and assurance that every vote holds significance are imperative. The assembly convened to elect new leaders for the association and to discuss a new five-year strategic plan aimed at improving sustainability and visibility.
One positive outcome highlighted by Mrs. Mensa was the initiation of solidarity missions beginning in 2023, which facilitate collaboration among heads of electoral management bodies during elections. Data from the Electoral Commission indicates that between 1992 and 2020, rejection rates in Ghana’s national elections ranged from 1 to 3 percent, with a noted decline from 2.33 percent in the 2020 elections to 2.08 percent in 2024.
In conclusion, Mrs. Jean Mensa has emphasized the critical need for African electoral management bodies to mitigate the issue of rejected ballots to bolster democracy. Solutions such as electronic voting and enhanced voter education have been recommended to ensure that every vote counts. The collaboration and strategic planning discussed during the General Assembly signify a proactive approach to achieving these objectives within the continent’s electoral framework.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
