Manasseh Azure Awuni: NDC's Tactless Move Exonerated Electoral Commission of Blame

Read Comments Comments (4)

• Kwame 11 months ago

  now you are talking? The NDC's post election attitude shows that they are a violent party.

  now you are talking? The NDC's post election attitude shows that they are a violent party.

  reply
• Ben Bawah 11 months ago

  So are you blaming the EC or NDC?

  So are you blaming the EC or NDC?

  reply
• Fo Victor , Ho. 11 months ago

  It is the lack of trust in the EC and the removal of insulation from other state institutions like the judiciary, and EOCO by the govt laid the foundations of what happened post elections.
  When Akufo- Addo began the appoi ...
  read full comment

  It is the lack of trust in the EC and the removal of insulation from other state institutions like the judiciary, and EOCO by the govt laid the foundations of what happened post elections.
  When Akufo- Addo began the appointments of party foot soldiers to the state institutions that are supposed to be neutral in their operations, the NDC was left alone to protest.

  reply
• I DISAGREE WITH YOU, MANASSEH AZURE AWUNI! 11 months ago

  Response to Manasseh Azure Awuni's Opinion: "How Tactless NDC Exonerated the Electoral Commission"
  
  Dear Manasseh,
  
  Your analysis on the 2024 elections provides some critical insights, but I strongly disagree with your at ...
  read full comment

  Response to Manasseh Azure Awuni's Opinion: "How Tactless NDC Exonerated the Electoral Commission"
  
  Dear Manasseh,
  
  Your analysis on the 2024 elections provides some critical insights, but I strongly disagree with your attempt to hold the NDC accountable for the challenges that occurred during the collation process. While I acknowledge that electoral integrity involves multiple stakeholders, your argument unfairly shifts the blame from the Electoral Commission (EC) to the vigilance and proactive stance of the NDC.
  
  Firstly, the claim that the collation process should be free of controversy under ideal circumstances is valid only if all stakeholders act in good faith. However, recent history suggests otherwise. The NDC’s vigilance at the collation centres was not borne out of recklessness or a desire to disrupt but was a necessary response to the mistrust the EC has cultivated. As you rightly noted, the EC has suffered a serious integrity deficit in recent years. This erosion of public trust necessitated heightened oversight by political actors, especially given allegations of electoral manipulation in past elections such as 2016 and 2000.
  
  The suggestion that party supporters' presence at collation centres caused chaos oversimplifies the reality. The chaos, as you described, stemmed not from their presence but from the systemic inefficiencies and lack of transparency in the EC’s handling of the process. If the EC had maintained a standard of unassailable impartiality, the NDC’s call for supporters to "protect the vote" would have been unnecessary.
  
  Additionally, your assertion that "cheating in Ghana’s elections is not easy" does not align with the lived experiences of many Ghanaians. The challenges with biometric devices, discrepancies in voter rolls, and reported incidents of vote padding and result manipulation are testaments to the vulnerabilities in our system. The NDC’s vigilance ensured that these loopholes were not exploited to subvert the will of the people.
  
  Your critique also fails to consider the historical context of electoral disputes in Ghana. In a country where political power often appears to influence the neutrality of state institutions, including the EC, political parties must exercise vigilance to safeguard democratic outcomes. The NDC’s approach may not have been perfect, but it was effective in ensuring accountability and fairness.
  
  Lastly, the claim that the NDC's actions exonerated the EC from blame for delays and disruptions is unconvincing. The EC, as the referee of the process, bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring a seamless and credible election. The disruptions you mentioned, including the delays and re-collations, highlight the EC’s inability to manage the process efficiently, not the NDC’s vigilance.
  
  While I agree with your call for all stakeholders to reflect on their roles in strengthening Ghana’s democracy, your critique disproportionately targets the NDC while downplaying the systemic challenges posed by the EC and other actors. Instead of chastising the NDC for their vigilance, we should commend their proactive stance, which has undoubtedly contributed to the credibility of the 2024 elections.
  
  Yours sincerely,
  G Kofi Mude

  reply