A Political Science Lecturer at the Kwame University of Science and Technology is questioning the eligibility of some of the 12 political parties who have been cleared to contest the December 7 polls.
Ghana’s 1992 Constitution of Ghana states every political party is required to have branches in all regions and must be organized in not less than two-third of the districts in each region.
But Dr. Amakye Boateng believes parties like the Ghana’s Freedom Party and Ghana Union Movement do not meet the requirements to earn them a spot on the ballot paper.
Speaking to Nhyira FM’s Papa Nyameke on Kuro Yi Mu Nsem, Dr. Amakye expressed disappointment in the Electoral Commission for not using the constitution to crack the whip on parties failing to meet the requirements.
He stated that if the EC had gone strictly by the constitution, many of the parties will find their way off the ballot paper.
“I am disappointed in the Charlotte Osei and Jean Mensah’s Electoral Commission, because there is an article in the constitution which states that every political party should have a national character.
"That is, every political party should have offices in all regions; also, in two-third of all the districts in the country. It is mandatory by the Constitution and I am at a loss why Charlotte Osei and Jean Mensah’s Electoral Commission do not want to crack the whip.”
He continued: “You didn’t write the constitution, why do you not want to abide by the constitution? These Minor Political Parties, like that of Akua Donkor and GUM, do they have offices in all the regions?
"If the EC should begin abiding by the constitution, many of the parties will find their way out of the ballot paper”.
Dr. Akwasi Amakye wonders why most of the political parties keep investing heavily for a spot on the ballot paper, in spite of the obvious signs that they will not win the elections.
“They don’t get returns on the heavy investment they make into the elections and they are still investing in spite of the obvious signs that they will not win the election. They need to be questioned."
As to the outcome of the upcoming elections, Dr Boateng expects a one-time victory for either NPP or NDC.
But I believe Ghanaians wouldn’t vote for the minor political parties so their presence on the ballot paper will amount to nothing. So, I’m looking forward to a one-time victory for the party that will emerge winner.”
On the position of parties on the ballot paper, he believes it will have no major influence on the election but says those with the first and last positions are more advantaged.
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