EC boss failed to declare assets but… CHRAJ rules

0
22
Advertisement

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) findings have faulted the Electoral Commission chairperson, Jean Mensa for not declaring her assets when she assumed office as required by law.

The Alliance for Social Equity and Accountability (ASEPA) in December 2019 petitioned the Commission to investigate Jean Mensa for not disclosing her assets in accordance with Article 286 of the Constitution.

CHRAJ’s findings established that, “At the end of the preliminary investigations, the Commission finds as a fact that as at the date the complaint was received by the Commission, the Respondent had not submitted her Assets Declaration Forms to the Auditor-General as required by law.”

It however noted that the EC boss later declared her assets and liabilities to the Auditor-General in February 2020.

“We further find that having taken steps to declare her assets and liabilities to the Auditor-General on 17 February 2020 in the course of this investigation, the Respondent has now complied with Article 286 of the Constitution.”

CHRAJ also acknowledged that when the issue was brought to Jean Mensa’s attention for comments, she took remedial steps to declare her assets and liabilities to the Auditor-General.

“We do not think that her conduct manifests a failure or refusal to comply with the provisions of Article 286 of the Constitution and Act 550.”

CHRAJ therefore stated in its report that having now complied with Article 286, “the Commission is of the considered view that the appropriate action, having regard to the circumstances of the case, is to refuse to investigate the matter any further as further investigation would not be necessary.”

By Isaac Essel | 3news.com