Former UN Governance Advisor Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah has highlighted the critical issue of public perception impacting the Electoral Commission (EC), particularly among opposition parties.

“The process itself is great,” Prof. Agyeman-Duah noted, referencing how former EC chair Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan structured the electoral process to involve stakeholders at every level.

His comments follow the Afrobarometer Survey’s findings, which reveal an alarming dip in public trust toward the EC and a public perception that opposition grievances are not adequately addressed.

With 40 days remaining until the 2024 elections, the EC has become one of the least trusted public institutions in Ghana.

The latest Afrobarometer survey reveals that public perception of the EC as corrupt is on the rise.

While the EC is responsible for organising the December 7 elections in a fair, impartial, and transparent manner, only 28% of respondents expressed trust in the Commission.

This marks a significant decline from the 59% trust level it enjoyed in 2012. In 2022, public trust in the Commission stood at 33%, but it has declined further to 28% this year.

This is a cause of concern for Prof Agyeman-Duah.

“But what seems to be the problem here is how opposition parties perceive the commission towards elections and how the commission responds to such perceptions and criticism,” he said in an interview on Joy News’ PM Express.

Pointing to Afrobarometer’s survey, he expressed concern over a “precipitous drop” in trust levels, currently at 34%, compared to higher trust indices in past years.

“It used to be 54% or thereabouts. In 2012 or 2014, it dropped to about 37%, but then it picked up again.

After 2020, it went back to the 34% where we are right now,” he observed, suggesting that opposition parties’ doubts about the EC have intensified public scepticism.

For Prof. Agyeman-Duah, a significant part of restoring trust lies in how the EC engages with critics.

“If the EC can engage more actively, listen to criticism, and address it transparently, there’s potential for rebuilding confidence.”

He noted that with key reforms, such as increased transparency through media-accessible IPAC meetings, the EC has an opportunity to reassure the public.