The “Politics” Of The Stakeholder Forum On Ghana’s Voter Register: My Reflections

Like most participants at the forum have alluded to: the integrity and credibility of an electoral register is a non-negotiable ingredient for a free, fair and credible election. This is particularly very critical in our part of the world: where electoral processes are replete with numerous and avoidable violent narratives. The suspicion and mistrust that shape elections-related conversations before and after polls largely determine how “predictably” peaceful or violent the outcomes of such elections are going to be.

Just last week, Zanzibaris in particular, and the largest opposition party in Tanzania described their elections in terms that portrayed a picture of a “grand scheme”: where the ruling party and the Independent Electoral body colluded to rig the elections. Accusations such as the sudden going off of power in order to fiddle with the transmitted figures were all made, as part of the grand scheme to cheat the opposition party. So, for continental political and development analysts, it did not come as a surprise when the opposition rejected the declaration of the electoral body; and described it as a sham. Given the chance, incumbent governments-in our part of the world-would go to astonishing lengths to shore up their electoral fortunes.

Ghana in focus

For the past five-and over-months, the prevailing rhetoric in Ghana's political discourse have centered largely on the “integrity and credibility” of the voters’ register. The allegations advanced by the largest opposition party (the New Patriotic Party (NPP) about foreign nationals, minors and illegally scanned and stapled entries intensified and heightened suspicions about the need for something “forward-looking” and practical to be done. In all, no party disputed the fact that something needed to be done about the current register. The crux of the conversations have now “confluenced” around whether some “cleansing” or auditing of some sort in required; or that a total jettisoning of the current register (for a new one) is required for a credible 2016 general elections. The question is: which would serve the utmost national interest, if we put monetary and peace economic ramifications into their proper perspectives?

NDC and NPP antics

What are these parties privy to, that is not known to the ordinary Ghanaian? These are some of the very many questions political analysts are asking. Are these parties “afraid of their own shadows”; because of things they have done in the past, or currently doing? Any strategic policy analyst would tell you that, these parties know exactly why they have taken such entrenched stances. After all, they have all been in government before. And, they all very well understand the rubric surrounding contesting an election from an incumbent or opposition standpoint. That is the sticking and point of suspicion. Some of these “worries” may be hard to substantiate scientifically. But, nevertheless they are “real” and critical to the overall outcome of an election in our part of the world. That is where the “fear and suspicion” factors are coming from.

Let nobody be deceived. The inner-workings of political and electoral processes in our part of the world give a certain “perceived” leverage to certain groups depending on where they are positioned on the scale. Until we are able to evolve and strengthen our institutions to operate “independently”, the perceived or real allegations of “invisible hands” manipulating the process behind the scenes would continue to mar the outcome and beauty of elections.

The stakeholder’s forum

I am one of those who thought that creating a platform for conversations, like we witnessed, was indeed refreshing. It gave especially; Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) the opportunity to share their concerns and perspectives on how we can “progressively” come out with a register whose “buy in” confidence level amongst political parties and other stakeholders would at least give us a “peaceful” starting point.

Unfortunately, just like we do to every development debate, even the empaneling of the membership of the chairing committee was not spared the partisan politically twisted “shenanigans” and objections. I am however glad that, at least we have managed to make some headway. If we want to be genuinely and sincerely committed to evolving integrity-proof electoral structures, then these public forums would no doubt create the needed incentives for the accomplishment of such objectives.

Insightful presentations

Some of the presentations at the two-day event were breathtaking and reassuring. All we need to do is to, take some steps back and reflect very deeply over some of the recommendations. Measures such as: taking very punitive and deterring actions against people who encourage the registration of minors is indeed welcoming. These political parties are the very ones who encourage minors to register; in their attempt to shore up their electoral fortunes. But when such machinations don’t favour them, their noises become even more deafening to the already disturbed ear of the ordinary Ghanaian. They continue to shift the goal-posts when the tables do not turn to their favour. How convenient!!

I know no electoral management architecture anywhere is full-proof. But when political parties (in our part of the world) are made to appreciate the fact that they are only stakeholders, they would tone down their “rebellious rhetoric”. The peace and security of this nation is not (and will never remain) the sole preserve of political parties. Every single Ghanaian has a responsibility to ensure the security and safety of the nation, irrespective of political leanings or association.

Despite the roles political parties play, the future and destinies of my children and your children still depend on the choices each and every one of us make. Political parties are critical, but they are not the “be-all-and-end-all” when our security and safety prerogatives are under the microscope.

Needles partisanship

The beauty of such a phenomenal forum was nearly marred by some overzealous political activists. Instead of focusing on the substance of the issues being discussed, they conveniently latched onto the opportunity to pass needless and denigrating remarks about their political opponents. Need I remind them that, “you don’t achieve any purpose by denigrating and undermining the position of your political opponent on such consensus building platforms”. They shouldn’t have diminished the spirit and purpose of such important platforms by their needless posturing. They have only helped in exposing how “connected” some political activists and groups are to other major political parties. No wonder “parties and their babies” slogan is being bandied about. It serves nobody’s interest, when such platforms are reduced to the usual partisanship we have subjected all development debates to.

To the extent that some “resurrected” parties can be accused of taking bribes to play other parties’ bidding is very shameful. If we cannot vouch for platforms needed to engender consensus, then what becomes of our electoral reform efforts?

Going Forward

With such a heightened level of suspicion going into elections 2016, I am sure the Electoral Commission would do itself a lot of good if it opens its activities up to the public for scrutiny. This is the only way it can “buy back” its integrity. All major stakeholders must be given the opportunity to raise and be responded to; issues they think need some fine-tuning and clarification. Trust, is all the parties need. No party has to feel victimized because of where it stands.

Governments (whether now or in the future) should avoid entirely, the temptation of “speaking” for the electoral body. Such actions only raise suspicions amongst their political opponents. This is crucial, considering the kind of politically polarized and tenuous environment we find ourselves. We are in a “democratic” dispensation where appointment to Statutory and “Independent” State institutions are subjected to partisan political interpretations. The thing is, the politicians know very well what they are capable of doing behind the scenes. They are therefore understandably worried when elections are due, and they are not in such influential positions.

Even if the Electoral Commission takes its decision (following the panel’s recommendations), political parties need to be very vigilant (with emphasis) on the Election Day, until results are declared. With stakes so high going into 2016, I expect all political parties to develop operational strategies that would mitigate “ballot papers stuffing and figures manipulation” tendencies that have characterised our elections.

CSOs and Ghanaians in general, must also play their bits in ensuring that, electoral activities and laid down procedures are followed in their neighborhoods and environs for a free, fair and credible elections. After all, the price of elections-related violence (like we witnessed in Kenya) can be very overwhelming. Ghana and her nationals deserve to live in a very peaceful environment.

Inusah Mohammed Awall

Twitter: @Wagoooni