Does Voting Publicly Make Jean Mensa Partisan? — Rashid Tanko Computer Questions Double Standards

Rashid Tanko Computer, Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has raised questions about how Ghanaians assess the political neutrality of Electoral Commission officials, using the examples of former EC Chairpersons Kwadwo Afari-Gyan and Jean Mensa. In comments reported by StarrFM, he noted that Afari-Gyan never voted while Jean Mensa voted publicly, and asked whether that fact alone makes her partisan. His remarks come amid heated debate over the appointment of new Deputy Chairpersons to the Commission and persistent allegations of political influence in its ranks.

The comparison is a pointed one. Afari-Gyan, who chaired the Commission for over two decades, was known for maintaining a low public profile and avoiding actions that could be construed as partisan. Jean Mensa, by contrast, has voted publicly — an act that, in itself, is entirely lawful and arguably normal for a citizen. Tanko Computer’s argument appears to be that public voting should not be treated as evidence of partisanship, and that critics who use it as a basis for questioning Mensa’s neutrality are applying a standard inconsistently. It is a defence not just of Mensa but of the principle that EC officials remain citizens with civic rights.

The broader context makes the intervention significant. The NDC has been accused by the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) of appointing individuals with known partisan affiliations to the Commission, most notably Emelia Afi Agbenyo as Deputy Chairperson. The NPP has demanded the appointment be withdrawn, describing Agbenyo as an active NDC operative. Tanko Computer’s comments appear to be part of the NDC’s counter-argument: that political affiliation or civic participation does not automatically disqualify someone from serving, and that the NPP’s standards are selectively applied.

There is a deeper question at stake, however. Public confidence in the Electoral Commission depends on the perception of independence, and perceptions are shaped by more than legal technicalities. Even if an official has every right to vote or belong to a party, the appearance of alignment can erode trust — particularly in a polarised environment where every appointment is scrutinised. The challenge for the Commission is to demonstrate that its officials can perform their duties impartially regardless of personal history. That is easier said than done, and it requires transparency, consistent conduct, and a willingness to address concerns directly.

Tanko Computer’s remarks will not settle the debate, but they add an important dimension to it. By invoking Afari-Gyan and Mensa, he forces critics to examine whether their standards are principled or convenient. For the NDC, the message is that accusations of partisanship should be based on conduct in office, not on personal civic activity. For the NPP and other critics, the response will likely be that the Commission’s unique role demands a higher standard than mere legality. Both positions will shape the conversation as the controversy over EC appointments continues.