The Voters View

In the year 1991 the National

Commission for Democracy (NCD) was empowered to hold regional debates and

formulate some suggestions for a transition to multi-party democracy upon

request from the opposition with pressure from the United States through the

CIA. In March of that year the NCD released a report recommending the election

of an executive president, the establishment of a national assembly, and the

creation of a prime minister post. The government at that time accepted the

report, and the following year it was approved in a national referendum,

therefore Political parties were legalized.

This was then the beginning of

the fourth republic and it is now twenty years after Ghana entered the fourth

republic dispensation. There have been six successive general elections and after

or before the results are declared parties and people usually refuse to

concede, points accusing fingers at each other, the electoral commission or the

ruling party that the election was rigged. Therefore rejects the results and all

the same there have been peace since but there are some factors that raise these

allegations that, sometime parties and people put out.

Most people in Ghana join or

follow political parties simply because of what they will benefit or reap when

the party comes to power and they always go like” seek ye first electoral

victory and all other things shall be added unto you”. Individuals and

Supporters of political parties invest a lot of money, time and energy into

political party’s campaign and therefore expect to get positions, contracts and

other things including the money they used to sponsor the party when it comes

to power. The winner takes all system in Ghana has in one way or the other

affected the election results since people lose or gain contracts on the

advantage of the winning party. The average Ghanaian is always looking to

someone to help or provide for him.

After every election in Ghana,

some Ghanaians lose their jobs for no other reason than the mere perception

that they belong to the losing party. In

Ghana if you endorse a candidate you better pray that the party wins or your

business will collapse because you will become a target of those in power. One

feature of our multi – party democracy is that every party in power ceases to

see Ghanaians as simply Ghanaians. They divide Ghanaians into those who support

them and those who support their opponents and they seem to work against those

who support their opponents.

Another point is that some party

agents are not committed and honest to their respective parties if not, why

would parties come out to reject the results saying the election was rigged.

Until party agents show their loyalty to their respective parties there will

always be a challenge of election results. I think the party agents are to

represent their parties at the polling station but this is not the case, they

rather consider their interest first and not the party’s interest. Again party

supporters and followers are not also sincere to their party and therefore they

vote according to their interest. Watch the way parliamentary results are far

different from the presidential results of the same party at a particular

constituency “voting skirt and blouse” and you will understand what I mean,

This also contribute to rejection of the results since the party expect to get

if not the same but almost close results for both the parliamentary and

presidential.

Political control otherwise the

“power” is one the major causes why allegations are raised concerning election

results. Most parties in power would not like to loss it just as their

opponents, simply because they want to rule. Power seems to put the nation’s

resources to the advantage of the ruling party and gives them control over

everything in the country therefore parties just want to gain power and would

reject election results if it does not favour them.

I give praise to the almighty

God for seeing us through our elections. I recommend our security services for the

good work and also providing adequate security throughout the period of every

election. The security service should still continue to do this good job for

the nation so that Ghana will improve its democracy. The average Ghanaian is

also a peace loving citizen and there will not be chaos when election results

are declared. I want to urge all Ghanaians that we should continue to tolerate

each other and Ghana will live long. For there would not be an election in

Ghana where you will not find parties and people claiming that it has been

rigged after all we are in Africa and we have seen the outcome of an African

election results.

BAYOR,

CEPHAS KANYIRI

e-mail: kanyiriacid@yahoo.com

Tel:

+233 245001658