Security analyst, Professor Kwesi Aning has responded to the Electoral Commission’s (EC) request for intervention, stating that President-elect John Dramani Mahama lacks the statutory authority to intervene in the re-collation of some parliamentary election results.
This comes after EC Chairperson Jean Mensa, in a press briefing, called for urgent intervention from both outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo and President-elect Mahama to ensure the Commission is provided with the necessary security to complete its constitutional duties.
Jean Mensa highlighted that EC staff have been working under significant pressure, facing direct intimidation and threats of violence.
In response to this, Professor Aning, speaking on Morning Starr with Naa Dedei Tettey, questioned the call for Mahama’s involvement, emphasising that the president-elect does not have the legal authority to act in this matter.
Prof. Aning further explained that the responsibility to act lies with the current president and those holding state power until the new administration takes office.
He also pointed out that the EC itself must follow established procedures in handling such matters.
“I worry when people suddenly must act as the president, he does not have the instrument of state power to do that. Apart from him moral authority to say, ‘look, do this or do that’ but nobody can comply. So I think yes the president-elect can speak but I think the individual still holding the instrument of power and those who are still before the midnight of the 6th of January are those who have to act. Also, there are procedures the EC itself must follow. This is not the first time recounting is being done, so what should they do?”.
