Addressing the High Incidence of Rejected Ballots in Africa’s Democracy
Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, emphasized the need for African electoral management bodies to eliminate rejected ballots to enhance democracy. During the 12th General Assembly of the Association of African Election Authorities, she highlighted the potential risks of rejected ballots to election credibility and proposed solutions such as public education and e-voting technologies. The Assembly also addressed leadership elections and a strategic plan for the Association’s future.
Mrs. Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, has urged African electoral management bodies to strive towards achieving zero rejected ballots to foster democracy across the continent. She expressed that the prevalent issue of rejected ballots represents a significant blemish on the democratic processes in Africa, underscoring the need for every vote to be counted meticulously.
In an interview following the 12th General Assembly of the Association of African Election Authorities held in Accra, Mrs. Mensa articulated the collective concern regarding the high rate of rejected ballots during national elections, highlighting the risk this poses to election credibility. She emphasized the necessity for electoral bodies to implement effective solutions such as adopting e-voting technologies, redesigning ballot papers, and enhancing public education regarding voting procedures.
Mrs. Mensa elaborated on the importance of educating citizens, asserting that issuing ballots is not sufficient; it is imperative to ensure that every vote is counted, and citizens understand the voting process. The Association consists of leaders from election-related bodies spanning around 45 countries, facilitating the exchange of best practices, and experiences.
Key discussions during the assembly included the election of new leadership for the next two-year term, along with deliberations on a new five-year strategic plan aimed at enhancing the Association’s long-term sustainability and visibility. A notable achievement highlighted by Mrs. Mensa was the introduction of solidarity missions in 2023, allowing heads of EMBs to observe and support member countries during their general elections.
Statistical data from the Electoral Commission indicates that between 1992 and 2020, Ghana experienced a rejection rate of one to three percent of votes in national elections. Specifically, the 2020 General Election recorded 2.33 percent rejected ballots, which decreased to 2.08 percent in the 2024 election.
Mrs. Jean Mensa’s remarks at the General Assembly underscore the critical need for electoral management bodies in Africa to address the concerning rate of rejected ballots. She advocated for comprehensive solutions to ensure every vote is counted, emphasizing public education and advanced voting technologies. The ongoing efforts and initiatives aimed at improving electoral processes reflect a commitment to strengthening democracy throughout the continent.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
