Mrs. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, has called for an end to rejected ballots in Africa, deeming it a challenge to democracy. During a media interview at the Association of African Election Authorities’ General Assembly, she highlighted the need for better electoral management, including the use of technology and increased public education. The assembly also elected new leadership and discussed strategic plans to enhance the Association’s impact on electoral practices across the continent.
Mrs. Jean Mensa, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, has urged African electoral management bodies to aim for zero rejected ballots in order to enhance democracy throughout the continent. She stated that the prevalence of rejected ballots is “a blot on our democracy” and called for efforts to ensure that every vote is counted.
Her remarks were made during a media interview following the 12th General Assembly of the Association of African Election Authorities, which concluded in Accra. This assembly followed the Ninth Annual Continental Forum for Electoral Management Bodies held from March 12 to 13, 2025.
Mrs. Mensa underscored the urgent need for electoral management bodies to address the concerning high rates of rejected ballots, which can jeopardize electoral credibility. Proposed solutions include implementing e-voting technologies, redesigning ballot papers, and enhancing public education on voting procedures.
She emphasized, “It is important for us as election management bodies to work to ensure that every vote counts.” Mrs. Mensa highlighted the importance of educating citizens to ensure participation and accuracy in voting. The Association, representing heads of election bodies from around 45 African nations, aims to share knowledge and best practices.
During the assembly, new leadership was elected to guide the Association over the next two years, and a strategic plan was discussed to strengthen long-term goals and visibility. One of the notable achievements is the introduction of solidarity missions in 2023, which facilitates exchanges between heads of EMBs in member nations during elections.
According to data from the Electoral Commission, the percentage of rejected ballots in Ghana’s national elections from 1992 to 2020 ranged from one to three percent. In the 2020 General Election, 2.33 percent of ballots were rejected, which decreased to 2.08 percent in the 2024 election.
In conclusion, Mrs. Jean Mensa’s call for zero rejected ballots emphasizes the need for more effective electoral management in Africa. Through education, technology, and collaboration among electoral bodies, the aim is to strengthen democratic processes across the continent and ensure that every vote is respected and counted. The initiatives discussed during the General Assembly indicate a commitment to improvement in future elections.
Original Source: www.ghanabusinessnews.com
