Mahdi Gibril, the Acting Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has stated that Ghanaians should take pride in having a president who respects the separation of powers and refrains from meddling in judicial affairs.
Reacting to the dismissal of petitions seeking the removal of Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa and two of her deputies, Gibril noted that the outcome affirms the independence of the judiciary.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he explained that Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo Baffoe-Bonnie acted in accordance with constitutional mandates.
The petitions were dismissed after it was determined that no prima facie case had been established against the commissioners.
While acknowledging that the petitioners might be disappointed, Gibril urged them to accept the ruling.
“Those who sent the petitions for the removal of the commissioners will not be happy about the outcome. But for me, I am happy that Ghanaians now have a president who will not meddle or interfere in the work of the judiciary,” he stated.
Despite accepting the legal outcome, Gibril pointed to ongoing concerns regarding the EC’s administrative conduct.
He cited several issues that stakeholders have previously complained about, including unlawful voter transfers, poor management of electoral systems, errors in election calculations, and other administrative lapses.
Mahdi Gibril emphasised that his core duty is to ensure the NDC remains vigilant in monitoring the EC’s activities to prevent any “machinations” that could compromise future polls.
He warned that election rigging is not an event that happens solely on polling day; rather, it can begin at any stage of the electoral process.
He concluded by contrasting the two major parties, asserting that while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) might employ desperate tactics to win, the NDC remains committed to playing “by the book” to ensure credible and transparent elections.
