Electoral Commission Bias Threatens Democracy: Nation On Brink Of Conflict Amidst Deafening Silence!

In a shocking turn of events, the impartiality of our nation's electoral commission is under severe scrutiny, raising alarms that, if not addressed, could thrust the country into turmoil. The commissioner, alongside her two deputies—all appointed by the president—have demonstrably favoured the ruling party, undermining the very foundation of a fair electoral process.

Before her appointment, the commissioner had shown clear allegiance to the president and his political party, raising serious doubts about her ability to remain neutral. Her two deputies had served in various capacities as executives within the ruling party, further compounding concerns about their impartiality. Their actions while in office have only justified these doubts, as they continue to show blatant bias toward the ruling party.

Key electoral activities, including voter registration and verification, are blatantly skewed to benefit the ruling party. For instance, the directive for limited voter registration to be conducted only at district headquarters, instead of at electoral areas as has been the practice in previous elections, severely limits accessibility for many voters and disproportionately affects opposition strongholds. The Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), intended to ensure a collaborative and fair election process, has seen its recommendations and objections dismissed outright, further fuelling accusations of bias.

In a disturbing development, crucial Voter Biometric Verification Devices slated for the December 7th elections have mysteriously vanished under CCTV surveillance at the Electoral Commission headquarters. No efforts have been made to recover these devices, nor has anyone been held accountable, a scandal that the opposition party had to expose.

Even more alarming is the weaponization of security agencies against dissenting voices, a clear tactic to suppress opposition and manipulate the electoral outcome. This corruption and misconduct within the electoral process must be condemned unequivocally.

Despite these damning revelations being public knowledge for some time, there has been a deafening silence from key institutions and figures. The Peace Council, the clergy, traditional rulers, civil society organizations (CSOs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have all remained conspicuously silent. This apathy is inexcusable, as any ensuing conflict will not spare anyone based on political allegiance—everyone will be affected.

The 2020 elections already exposed significant flaws within the commission. The electoral body was unable to provide a definitive result when declaring the winner of the presidential election. The matter ended up in court, where the judgment was appalling. The Commissioner, who heads the commission and is responsible for all its activities, avoided mounting the witness box to be cross-examined, shielded by legal technicalities.

Moreover, the judiciary has shown complicity in this crisis, further undermining the public’s trust in a fair and just electoral process.

For our democracy to thrive and for the rot within the governments to be exposed, it is imperative to establish a level playing field. Only through free and fair elections, reflecting the true choice of voters, can we prevent the president from installing an extension of his regime as he leaves office. The integrity of our electoral process is non-negotiable; the future of our nation depends on it.

Nsiaba Nana Akwasi Kobi
Diaspora Activist
[email protected]