Sympathy and Election Outcome: The NDC’s Win and Rawlings Death

Several elections across the globe, especially Ghana have been influenced by the death of prominent figures in party camps. Many voters though not belong to certain parties, their personal association with the deceased could let them vote to support the deceased party. So far, the founder of NDC, Jerry John Rawlings has died and the party members have started soliciting for sympathy votes. This article serves as an advice to the NDC that, sympathy votes are influenced by many factors; the legacy of the deceased, the relationship the deceased has with people, etc.

However, it looks like the NDC have left their People's manifesto and now campaigning on the legacy of Rawlings to influence voters for votes. Is it only when NDC is elected that the principles and legacy of Rawlings could be maintained? Or, they (NDC) want to capitalize on his death to win? It's observed that since the death of Rawlings, they (NDC) have begun a different twist to their campaign. They talk more about maintaining the legacy of Rawlings than what is incorporated in their Manifesto. This strategy could lead them to a blunder in the election. Ghanaians knew the man (Rawlings) was disregarded in NDC’s activities before his departure.

So, instead of keeping the focus on what they started, they should not make the mistake of relying on sympathy votes to win the election. Rawlings factor in Ghana politics was, even inactive/inefficient- Rawlings had no much influence on the party and his departure won't equally change anything. In fact, despite his great legacy in History, he has haters. Hence, the NDC should preach their manifesto instead or get inclined for a BIG loss!

What will Ghana look like without Rawlings? Counterintuitively, the NDC, the party that Rawlings founded, might be in the best position to move on without him. His presence has long loomed large in the party, playing a prominent role in campaigns and internal party politics. But Rawlings had recently contributed to internal fractures in the NDC. Many party leaders grew tired of his public antics, but were mostly unable to criticize him for fear of alienating their voters. His passing opens up space for a younger generation of leaders, as well as increased institutionalization of Ghana’s two-party system.

Ghana’s general elections are a few weeks away, but officials announced a period of national mourning, with electoral campaigning suspended for seven days. Ghanaians will honor and remember their former president, some fondly, some less so. A giant has passed, and now a polarized and divided nation will learn to live without him.

In conclusion, the NDC should let the sympathy votes come naturally and not call for it. This is because Ghanaians might realize it and dissuade from expressing their sympathy. I really think the party (NDC) is been hypothetical and only wants to rely on Rawlings's death by making politics about it. If Ghanaians want to honor Rawlings, then they have an option to either support the wife, Nana Kunadu Agyeman-Rawlings of NDP, or the Daughter, Dr. Zenator and the NDC. But we must maintain peace during and after the election.