The 2020 Flagbearer of the largest opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama has hinted that the refusal of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa to testify in the just-ended election petition hearing will leave a bad precedent for the future.
According to him, anyone who followed the proceedings will not be surprised by the ruling.
Addressing the nation at his Cantonments office, he said "Speaking as a Ghanaian with no legal training, I believe that Jean Mensa's refusal to testify in this election petition leaves a bad precedent for the future. Anyone who followed the proceedings will not be surprised by the ruling. Our legal team led by Tsatsu Tsikata put together our case which left no room for doubt. Much as I am aware we are legally bound by the decisions of the Supreme Court, I disagree with the process of the trial and ruling of the court,"
He also added that he is not satisfied with the ruling of the Supreme Court adding that he disagrees with the process of the trial.
Mr. Mahama however called on NDC Faithfuls who were not happy with the outcome to turn their sadness towards the upcoming 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
It will be recalled that the Supreme Court on Thursday, March, 4, dismissed Candidate Mahama's petition after it gave its final verdict on the 2020 election hearing.
"Evidence on record clearly showed that the impact of alleged vote padding even if proved would be very insignificant to overturn the results obtained by President Akufo-Addo. We have settled in our minds that the allegation of vote padding though serious in our presidential election was not proved by credible evidence. Furthermore, even if the vote padding took place same was not material or substantial to change the final results so declared by the First Respondent Jean Mensa, Chair of the Electoral Commission." he noted.
"If you take the alleged vote padding of 4,693 from the total valid votes of President Akufo-Addo, he will still have obtained more than 50percent of the total valid votes cast certified the threshold of Article 63 clause 3 of the 1992 constitution."
Speaking on the unanimous decision from the 7 Judges, he said "They concluded the judgement by emphasising that the petitioner did not demonstrate in any way how the alleged errors in the unilateral corrections by Jean Mensa affected the validity of the declaration made by her on December 9, 2020. We have therefore no reason to order a re-run,"
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith