Former AG, Ayikoi Otoo Weighs In On Petition To Remove EC Chair

Former AG, Ayikoi Otoo Weighs In On Petition To Remove EC Chair

Former Attorney General Ayikoi Otoo has shared his thoughts on the petition seeking the removal of Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Jean Mensa and her deputies. According to him, the allegations against the EC leadership don’t meet the threshold for removal.

Ayikoi Otoo emphasized the importance of distinguishing between personal opinions expressed before assuming office and official conduct while in office. He noted that some claims against the EC officials stem from statements or actions made before taking office, which should not be held against them.

For instance, he mentioned that one of the deputies was alleged to have made certain statements while exercising academic freedom, which should not be considered serious enough to warrant removal. Ayikoi Otoo likened this to judges who express personal opinions before assuming office, but are bound by their oath once they take office.

Regarding the disenfranchisement of Santrokofi, Akpafu, Likpe, and Lolobi (SALL) residents in the 2020 parliamentary elections, Ayikoi Otoo acknowledged the frustration but cautioned against using isolated incidents to conclude incompetence or misconduct.

Ultimately, he believes that the Chief Justice is the appropriate authority to determine whether the issues raised in the petition meet the threshold for removal. As he put it, “From where I sit, I don’t see anything weighty enough to justify their removal.”