Arrogance Of Power By The Electoral Commission Could Undermine The Political Stability Of Ghana

The right to vote is a fundamental human right enshrined in the 1992 constitution of Ghana. Thus, it is incumbent on the Electoral Commission of Ghana [EC] in the exercise of its mandate under CI 91 ratified by CI 126, to protect the sanctity of this Constitutional provision to ensure that every Ghanaian of sound mind and above 18yrs is given the right to exercise his franchise without any hindrances and also conduct a free, fair and credible elections which the outcome will be acceptable by all stakeholders. So, voting is a right but not a privilege. Therefore, any action by the EC to disenfranchise voters as results of irregularities in the voters roll is an affront to democratic principle of transparency, accountability and citizen’s right to vote which could subvert the will of the people in their quest to choose their own leaders through the ballot.

Against this backdrop, it is imperative to note that political instability of sovereign states especially in Africa is caused by electoral dispute which leads to electoral violence that creates a state of instability and a state of abyss. Therefore, failure of the EC to address the concerns raised by the opposition National Democratic Congress [NDC] could mean that the integrity of the EC to conduct transparent, free and fair elections in the upcoming December 7 general elections is questionable for which reason, stakeholders, constitutional bodies mandated to protect the sanctity of the electoral process, CSOs as well as the international community must be interested in this development to intervene to ensure that the EC addresses the concerns raised by the NDC about the anomalies, irregularities, fluctuations and infractions identified in the newly compiled voter register or else this predicament could lead to political instability in Ghana after the polls in December. This is because a non-credible register could undermine citizen’s right to choose their own leaders.

According to the opposition NDC it has identified over 243, 000 transfers of votes to other constituencies without the consent of the voters. It has also identified over 15,000 votes transfers to an unknown destinations and over 2000 names deliberately deleted by the EC from the Voter Register. Further, the NDC claims and points to the EC that its officers have illegally transferred over 3000 votes to and from Ajumako Constituency where the current Minority Leader of Parliament Hon. Ato Forson is the MP and the illegal transfer of votes from Saneriugu in the Northern Region to Pusiga Constituency in the North East without the consent of the voters to which the EC has admitted to such illegality and has interdicted the Officers involved. What is more suspicious is that these anomalies and illegalities could only be traced at NDC strongholds. So, these illegalities and anomalies raises red flag about the sanctity of the electoral register for which reason, the opposition NDC is demanding for a forensic audit of the Voter Register to ensure that, these infractions are duly corrected and the register duly cleaned from possible errors and manipulations. Is this a difficult thing to do? This clarion call from the NDC is in the right direction because there could be more other errors, illegal transfers, fluctuations and infractions in the voter register and if not corrected, could disenfranchise thousands of voters when they present themselves at voting centres to vote on the December 7. This is where the instability could begin since the posture of the NDC means they will protect the ballot of voters and defend the constitution of Ghana by any means possible.

What is most interesting is that, no one can have access to manipulate the electoral register without the authorization from the EC Head Office because you can only access the system with a password. This illegality of transfer votes and deleting of names of prospective voters on the voter register has come at the back of concerns raised earlier by the NDC about the composition of the EC Board and mysteries behind the missing BVDs and BRDs. By the Constitution, the EC is an independent body for which reason, those mandated to steer the affairs of the EC should not be politically exposed persons. But according to the NDC, the Deputy Commissioner of the EC, Dr. Bossman who once said the NDC is a threat to Ghana’s democracy is a former Patron of the NPP Tescon wing of the University of Ghana where he was a lecturer of Political Science. Also, a Former Director of IT and NPP communicator in the Brong Region Mr. Appiahene has been appointed to the EC Board by the President of Ghana Nana Akuffo Addo. Madam Jane Mensah, the EC Chairperson herself, is the wife of a perceived NPP sympathizer and Financier who is the founder of Institute of Economic Affairs [Mr. Mensah]. It is also alleged that most of the handlers of the EC IT department are cronies of the Danquah Institute and allies of Dr. Bawumia the Vice President and Presidential candidate for the NPP in the upcoming general elections.

These characters mentioned-above are all politically exposed persons against the will of the constitution that are steering the affairs of the EC and not even a petition to the Council of State by the NDC could warrant the President to withdraw these appointments which is an affront to democratic principle of transparency and accountability. This development and that of the current illegal transfers of votes by the EC, raises suspicion about the integrity of the EC to conduct free, fair and transparent elections in December. So, the only means by the EC to clear this doubt and suspicion is to allow for a forensic audit of the voter register to address the concerns and red flag raised by the NDC which is a majority stakeholder of the Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The forensic audit is not between the NDC and the EC. It involves all stakeholders including the NPP, Constitutional and independent bodies and to a larger extent CSOs. So, it is a Committee that could resolve this impasse therefore, the EC has no escape route to deny the NDC request albeit according to sources, the UNDP which had previously done same, is ready to assist the EC to conduct this forensic audit exercise in the spirit of transparency and fairness to all parties involved.

To conclude, I reiterate that it is only a credible, transparent, free and fair election that could guarantee the political stability of Ghana going forward and this begins by ensuring that the voters register is credible and fit for purpose to conduct free and fair elections in December. Anything short of this could undermine the peace and tranquility of Ghana looking at the posture of the NDC to protect the ballot of Ghanaians and defend the constitution of Ghana by any means possible. To this end, if the EC has nothing to hide then it must do the needful to allow for a forensic audit of the voters register to address the concerns raised by the NDC once and for all. Absolute power corrupts absolutely so the arrogance of power and the posture of the EC is a threat to National security for which reason, the EC must build consensus with all stakeholders involved in the electoral process to ensure a transparent, free and fair elections in December. Way to Go.

Article By
DR. MICHAEL RICHMOND SMART-ABBEY [GOVERNANCE AND SECURITY EXPERT, WRITER AND AUTHOR] COLUMNIST: MORDERN GHANA NEWS WEBSITE AND EVENING TRIBUNE NEWS PAPER

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