Vigilantism, ‘monecracy’, lofty promises threat to democracy – Afari-Gyan

Former Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, has identified money politics, too many campaign promises and vigilantism as threats to Ghana’s elections and democracy.

According to him, people with money can hijack the electoral process to the detriment of the genuine electoral competition, and, therefore, the state must find ways to restrict the use of money by politicians, in elections.

He also noted that the recent rise of vigilantism in Ghana’s body politick should be discouraged because it was unhealthy for the conduct of free and fair elections.

Dr Afari-Gyan said these at the Accra Dialogue on the theme: ‘Consolidating Ghana’s Democratic Governance: The role of the Electoral Commission’ on Wednesday, 22 August 2018.

“I think ways must be found to restrict the role of money in elections. It is now common knowledge all over the world that unbridled use of money in elections makes it possible for [people with money], irrespective of the sources of their money, to hijack the electoral process to the detriment of genuine electoral competition,” he stated.

He continued: “Again it is becoming the norm for our politicians to make many promises in their election campaign. Those promises can easily become millstones around the politician’s neck.

“Finally, the rise of vigilantism in the political landscape is not a healthy development for the conduct of free and fair elections nor for the politicians themselves.”

Dr Afari-Gyan noted that maintaining peace, law and order and protecting citizens is the work of the police not vigilante groups.