Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement, Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) - Ghana, Dr Kojo Pumpuni Asante, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to nurture trust among the political parties to ensure that general election results are acceptable to all stakeholders.
He said building trust in the electoral processes, extending the time frame for election, planning and increasing public access to key data results were necessary to improve the nation’s democratic governance.
Dr Asante gave the advice during a panel discussion on the 2022 Kenya and 2023 Nigeria general elections and the lessons for Ghana ahead of the 2024 General Election.
It was important for the EC to correct the growing negative perception about the institution, which was not good for the country’s democratic development, he advised.
Dr Asante referred to the numerous legal challenges faced by both the Kenyan and Nigerian electoral management bodies, saying it would be better for Ghana’s EC to ensure the timely conclusion of its legal reforms ahead of the general election.
He explained that whatever the EC needed to do should be done early and clarified so that the stakeholders would understand and appreciate their relevance.
Dr Asante also recommended the reforming of the process of appointment to the EC Board, saying that the current method did not make it transparent and inclusive.
Dr Bright Akwetey, Executive Director, Institute of Democratic Development, Ghana (IDEG), for his part, urged the EC to set a time frame and limit for political parties to campaign for general elections.
In both Kenya and Nigeria, he said, had their electoral management bodies regulating the periods and duration of political campaigns.
Ghana’s lack of such measures were not helping, he noted.
“We are told that in Kenya they do 50 days for election campaign and Nigeria does 150 days, but ours is limitless, which is not helping…. We have been pushing for a long time that we should have a campaign season and our parties should not only be about elections after elections,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the political parties not only to focus on election-related issues but innovate development-oriented policies to benefit the people.
Dr Edward Ampratwum, a representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), advised political parties to commit to dialogue, consensus building and resolving their differences with peaceful means.
They should also work with the people towards creating the desired future.
He said election was one of the major triggers of violence across the globe, having led to democratic reversals and unconstitutional changes in government, especially in Africa.
Mr Mulle Musau, Coordinator, Elections Observation Group, Kenya, stated that Ghana should have clear electoral laws, which must be adhered to by all the political parties -thus learning from both the Kenyan and Nigerian experiences.
He said the various components of the electoral processes, such as voter identification, registration and verification must be transparent and inclusive.
Ms Cynthia Mbamalu, Director of Programmes Yiaga Africa, Nigeria, emphasised that the EC should not create doubt about the electoral processes so that outcome of the elections would be accepted by all the parties.
Latest Stories
-
Over 60 MPs storm Bawumia’s office to support his bid for 2028 election
9 minutes -
We met $200m and GH₵300m of debts when we assumed control of DVLA – CEO reveals
20 minutes -
Dafeamekpor denies restrictions on Minority’s role in Parliament’s Appointment Committee
36 minutes -
Galamsey fight a mirage, cosmetic under Mahama’s NDC – GAP-F declares
42 minutes -
DVLA to begin excavator enforcement operation from 1st July – Acting CEO
50 minutes -
Alarming study finds greater suicide risk among screen-addicted teens
55 minutes -
Center for International Mediators and Arbitrators holds Investiture in Ghana
1 hour -
Energy Commission denies issuing charcoal licenses for export amid booming trade in Northern Ghana
1 hour -
DVLA to introduce chip-embedded number plates
1 hour -
2025 BECE: Kintampo court sentences 4 for malpractices, others remanded
1 hour -
Thai PM faces calls to quit after leaked phone call
2 hours -
The Cedi appreciation and its impact on real estate
2 hours -
NSS personnel will undergo military orientation, not training – Deputy Director clarifies
2 hours -
Petition against SC judge nominee Justice Ackaah-Boafo derails vetting session
2 hours -
Bro Philemon signals big comeback to Ghana’s gospel music scene
2 hours