NDC calls for fairness in ballot

The General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Hon. Johnson Asiedu Nketia has called for fairness ahead of the Tuesday’s balloting for the presidential candidates.

“The Electoral Commission must act above all accusation of favouritism, which is the need for the ballot.

“In order to avoid these accusations things must be done in a transparent manner,” Hon. Nketia said in an interview to Joy News.

According to the Electoral Commission two ballots would be conducted on the day, to ensure fairness.

Mr. Albert Kofi Arhin, Director of Elections, explained to Joy News’ Evans Mensah, the first pick will only outline how the eventual ballot would go.

“If you are party A, we will let you pick. If you pick number one, it means you will be the first to pick in the second ballot. He added.

But even before the balloting is done, the various party representatives are predicting favourable positions to facilitate their campaigns ahead of the December polls.

Positions on the electoral ballots have become crucial following the positioning of the then opposition NPP in 2000 at the bottom, which triggered what became known as “Asieho,” meaning down there.

Election watchers say the Asieho played a role in bringing the NPP into power.

No political party is this time assured of the last position in tomorrow’s ballot.

According to Kofi Arhin the position is reserved for the independent presidential candidate, Mr. Kwesi Amoafo Yeboah.

Having been denied their favourite spot, the ruling New Patriotic Party, said it is ready for whatever position the ballots puts them.

Dr. Arthur Kennedy, Head of Communications for the Akufo-Addo campaign team, said the dedicated supporters will rally behind the party, anywhere on the ballot, adding, “President Kufuor won even when he was placed in the middle in 2004.”

Kossi Dede of the Convention People’s Party, said their sure bet is number five on the ballot.

He said it will be a lucky coincidence if the party secures the fifth spot.

The waving of the five fingers would facilitate campaigning, he reckoned.

Even though he agrees the positions on the ballot are crucial to the outcome of the elections, Pollster and Editor of the Daily Dispatch News paper Ben Ephson said the big parties must be wary of spoit ballots, especially for their parliamentary candidates.

“Anything that makes your campaign easier and catchy, you take advantage of it, but if you are unlucky and you are placed at a place the person below or above you has no parliamentary candidate it will affect you.” He said.