The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Eastern Region has expressed its displeasure with the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission’s handling of the district assembly elections in the region.

Their concerns follow the suspension of the local government elections in about 17 districts across the region.

Listing the issues that have plagued the electoral process, they blamed the poor printing of ballot sheets and the late arrival of ballot papers in some districts for the failure of the local government elections to take place there.

“In a constituency like Akuapem North, the materials arrived, but you could see that the work was abysmally and incompletely done. So, the materials were sent back to Accra.

“As of 10:30 a.m., ballot papers for districts such as Upper Manya Krobo, Yilo Krobo, Kwahu South, Birem Central, and Asene-Manso-Akroso constituencies had not arrived either at the regional or district offices. In some cases, the materials got to the regional office around 9 am.

“The disrespect the Jean Mensah-led EC is showing to Ghanaians is what is annoying,” the Eastern Regional chapter of the NDC said in a press statement signed by the Regional Secretary, Jamal Konneh.

According to the NDC, the obstinacy of the EC Chairperson is to blame for all the problems that have plagued the local government elections and has thus called on Jean Mensa to put her house in order ahead of the 2024 general elections.

“The lady Jean Mensah doesn't listen. She is not ready to learn, and not ready to resign too. And what is worrying is that she doesn't care about the cost the candidates are incurring.

“Moving into 2024, the region would not entertain such mess and wish to caution the EC to abort any agenda to repeat this mess in 2024 to prevent any mayhem on Election Day,” the NDC said.

Meanwhile, the EC has indicated that local government elections in affected districts will be held on Thursday, December 21.