NEWS COMMENTARY ON FREE, FAIR AND ACCOUNTABLE ELECTIONS LARGELY DEPENDS ON THE COMMISSIONS AND OMISSIONS OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION (EC) OF GHANA
Ghanaians have to appreciate the Electoral Commission (EC) for the exhibition of the voter register for the cross checking of eligible names for the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, come December 7th. Some individuals, as well as political parties and stakeholders have identified some discrepancies that need to be rectified for a clean register and for a free and fair elections. Free and fair elections largely depends on the just commissioners of the Electoral Commission. The Electoral Commission of Ghana was established in 1992 as an independent institution to superintend over electoral processes, in order to promote democracy and development.
The EC has successfully conducted eight Presidential and Parliamentary elections without counting the many bye-elections and intra-party elections. This is no mean an achievement and it has won the trust of not only Ghanaians, but international bodies as well. We have therefore proved ourselves as a people of freedom and justice, that ensure free, fair and peaceful elections. The onus of free, fair and peaceful elections lies on all of us, as we journey with the Electoral Commission in the 2024 electoral processes. As mandated by law, the Commission is to ensure transparency, fairness and integrity as their motto says, we entreat them to be mindful of certain serious omissions in the electoral process. We urge the EC to remain in the posture of an independent institution, commissioned to work with the government for all Ghanaians, but not under or for any government, no matter the political colour. We expect the EC not to engage in equalization like politicians, by saying, that “the 2016 register, which contained photos of plants and animals representing voters” should have been audited. This is indeed self-inditement and betrayal to the constitutional responsibility of the EC.
The advice of the Veteran Electoral Commissioner, Kwadwo Afari-Gyan must be taken in good faith when he said, that “People who commit serious election offences, particularly if they are professional electoral officials or electronic experts, must be severely punished”. This should be done before elections for a credible voters’ register of eligible voters, during the elections for acceptable and reliable results and after the elections for continual trustworthiness. More importantly, the relevant education of voters for verification and authentication should be provided in order not to disenfranchise any voter. We are left with few weeks to the general elections and we have to hasten with accuracy, to finalize a clean voter register for smooth electoral processes. Peaceful elections begins with transparent processes and fairness to all voters, which leads to valid votes to be counted with integrity, to reflect the will of the voters. Electoral complains and confusions erupt only when there are issues relating to transparency, fairness and integrity. In effect, Ghanaians would not need any involvement of the security personnel, when electoral officials do due diligence in the electoral process.
Pope John Paul, the sixth (VI) once said, “If you want peace, work for justice.” These words should be re-sounded by the National Peace Council and all stakeholders. The EC was commissioned to work for just elections with integrity, but not for untransparent processes and to omit votes to be counted democratically. We humbly appeal to the rank and file of the EC to promise “to be faithful and loyal to Ghana” our motherland and for accountable election, come December 7 and beyond.
WRITTEN BY: REV. FR. JONAS RICHMOND ATARAH, CATHOLIC PRIEST OF NAVRONGO-BOLGATANGA DIOCESE.