National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Johnson Asiedu Nketia, says the NDC can work with Jean Mensa despite the party’s previous calls for her removal as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC).
Changes within the Electoral Commission, he said, have significantly altered the institution’s decision-making structure, reducing the influence of the EC Chairperson.
His comments mark a notable shift from the NDC’s position before the 2024 general election, when the party consistently demanded Jean Mensa’s removal.
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Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express with Evans Mensah about his earlier position that Jean Mensa should not have supervised the 2024 elections, Asiedu Nketia said political negotiations rarely produce every desired outcome.
“When you go for anything, you don’t expect to get everything 100%. At least you have seen that if three people were taking decisions and two are gone, I’m sure that she may find it difficult to do whatever they were doing together.”
He suggested that the departure of other commissioners has changed the internal dynamics of the Electoral Commission.
Asiedu Nketia argued that the changes within the Commission have weakened Jean Mensa’s ability to operate in the same way as before.
“So, either she may wish to go out herself, or even if she’s there, I believe she’s been neutralised.”
The NDC Chairman maintained that the current circumstances differ from those that prompted the party’s earlier demand for her removal.
Asked whether the NDC is now comfortable working with the EC Chairperson, Asiedu Nketia said the party has no alternative but to engage the Electoral Commission.
“We don’t have an option. If the Supreme Court says she should stay, who am I?”
He stressed that respect for the rule of law requires the NDC to work with the Electoral Commission under its current leadership.
Reflecting on the 2024 general election, Asiedu Nketia acknowledged that although he preferred Jean Mensa to leave office before the polls, the NDC still secured victory.
“She remained, and we won the election. So, even if I wish her gone and she’s still there, it means that we will have to work harder than if she were not there. And we can still win our elections.”
He stressed that the NDC’s electoral success demonstrates that the party can prevail even if Jean Mensa continues to serve as Chairperson of the Electoral Commission.