Our aim at history; our fame in mystery

Given, this would be our 7th election since 1992 and it aims at electing the 7th Parliament and the 7th President in the 4th Republic. Presumptively, we have had elections and had inter and intra transitions since 1992 to 2012.

The Electoral Commission had been the general overseer and still is.

Ghana sought to change its electoral date from December 7 to the every first Monday in November in election years. It happens to fall of November 7 this year.

In pursuance of this, a bill was drawn by the AG's Department, gazzeted to build public consensus and laid before the 275 stupendous partisan parliament. The satire which the French would love is that a 2/3 (184 Votes) non partisan majority was required. Hallelujah! The majority in parliament, the NDC, are only 153 in number.

Here are a few things I surmise from yesterday's parliamentary happenings;

(1) The posture of the NDC

Despite NDC's overt admittance of the tentativeness of the proposed amendment and their assertion to accede to the turn out of events, it appears they have not done enough to woo members from the minority. You can't blame them, could you? They are not used to votes premised on 2/3 basis.

They had continually fed fat off the popular acclamation and simple majority votes. Of course, they must have had sharp teeth to have done so. Perhaps, they should have sharper tactics to play on. They should have learned from Obama and The Democrats how they manage to get enough votes from a House chaired by Paul Ryan, a Republican, and a majority are Republicans. Had they done so, they would have known better.

Well, one school of thought is happy about the vote pattern - he says all decisions in Parliament should be secret ballots requiring a 2/3 basis. It sounds harshly hypothetical but he says it would show the steel and resolve in our democracy, especially in the law making body.

A loss battle for the NDC? They were quick to point to the conjecture that since the NPP rejected a change in the electoral date, there would equally be no inter party change of Government after the 2016 elections. Is this worth laying a wreath for? Ghanaians would decide!

(2) The Attorney General

The Attorney General, the torch bearer, in my view had very lame, flawed and poor reasons for which she unsuccessfully tried to proffer the bill to parliament for onward affirmation. Her reasons were to allow for a lengthier period for transition and that since the 7 November is a day after a weekend, it would allow the EC commensurate time for transfer of electoral materials.

I don't know if she travels outside the country every election year but even for elections held on weekdays, the EC successfully deployed materials, resources and personnel adequately in all previous elections. She should have known this but I bite my balls she does.

As such, some MP's hurriedly pointed out to her that her reasons were garrulous and lacked the power to effect a change. I agree! Her office delayed in the passing of this bill for unknown reasons and her speech relayed her delusion.

(3) The NPP and the minority leader

I have always admired Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, the Minority Leader. He understands politics and plays it well. You think he didn't know it was a secret ballot? He led his sheep well and they followed righteously. I'm sure his tactics yesterday by showing his vote prior to his colleagues voting, it has earned him a presidential bid after Nana Akuffo Addo.

The NPP had a meeting on Wednesday night and the bill was already a bitter pill to them. It's not about conviction to them, it's convenience. After all, their stance was popularly known and beautifully rehearsed much to the admiration of the public. Their gestures ruptured their unreadiness.

Habitually, it was blamed on the EC that they were seemingly unprepared to conduct the 2016 Elections on November 7.

Be as it may, the NPP have their fate in their own hands now. They have what they want, would they utilize it? We live to see.

(4) The Electoral Commission

Clearly, they have said they are ready for November 7 or December 7 but have not demonstrated it. Rightful doubts have been casted over their preparations and plans.

One major incident which has distorted their set dates for the various electoral processes is the Supreme Court case seeking for the obliteration of NHIS Card Registered Voters from the Electoral Register. Out of the five (5) reliefs the plaintiffs prayed the court, only one (1) was upheld, four were dismissed.

There is need for the EC to go beyond the talk and demonstrate its preparation and readiness to hold this election. It should ensure free, fair and credible elections.

These granted, Ghana would have to bounce back stronger and more united than ever before and after the 2016 Elections. We would vote in December 7.

Lord, we pray for peace and let us prey on extreme partisan politics and violence.

Writer's e-mail: Nkdcyril@gmail.com