TORNADO- WHAT THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION’S DECISION REVEALS

Charlotte Osei Ghana's astute Electoral Commissioner

By Dora Addy

It is a not a grave error, but rather an interplay of boldness and a daring spirit seldom unfounded among public officials. It’s a pure patriotic act.

The disqualification of fourteen presidential aspirants in this year’s general elections was widely received with surprise from all spectrums. The debate is still on course, as to whether the presidential aspirants were aware of the conditions surrounding their disqualification from the race to the Jubilee House.

The general atmosphere surrounding this news has nonetheless created a lot of respect for the Electoral Commission; creating for it a new level of soundness and somewhat helped to remove the … that has beset it.

The EC has been vilified on many levels; the change of its logo to a more complex symbol, its stubborn choice to admit NHIS card holders into the EC register, among other things,  and is under the constant gaze of society, especially at the coming of this year’s general elections.

Although not spared from constant public lashing and checks, the EC has always come out with bold answers to some of its decisions, and assured Ghanaians to continue to uphold the trust placed upon it.

Now, considering its recent decision to disqualify fourteen presidential aspirants was another overwhelming decision; everyone is amazed at the sudden turn of events, and the affected parties must be more traumatized.

How the EC managed to nail fourteen presidential hopefuls of various irregularities during filing processes is a bit disturbing for many party followers, it is quite an impressive feat.

This news has brought mixed feelings, and thankfully there has not been any incidence of violence. History has been made. While a few contenders remain, we must come to realize the lessons this decision leaves.

THE RULE OF LAW

This is a case of victory. Once again, Ghanaians are allowing the law to work, instead of resorting to their own personal decisions and hitting the roads with some war chants and ravings, most of the disqualified presidential hopefuls have resorted to the courts to have their cases settled amicably.

APC Candidate Ayariga dropped from race

I am very sure this news of disqualifying presidential hopefuls would have brought about a lot of confusion elsewhere on the continent. It is very common to find political aspirants inciting violence when events do not turn out as planned. Especially in those countries where people feel the need for a change of government, political violence would have been the precursor to the general elections.

In Africa, many of its civil conflicts have been started through political misunderstandings. In Gabon presently, there is a scuffle as to who should become president, even after elections.

Despite a court’s ruling on Ali Bongo’s win, the opposition leader, Jean Ping, would not respect the decisions of the court, and has asked his supporters to ‘remain vigilant and mobilized’. The opposition leader has incited his supporters to believe that the court’s ruling was simply ‘unjust’.

Violent protests have followed after the court’s ruling.

The rule of law connotes the obedience of the law; and in this instance, to keep the peace and resort to peaceful settlement of all disputes.

CIVIL MATURITY

Some people simply refer to Ghanaians as ‘timid’ people, because of our love for peace and deep seated hospitality; but really, it is a huge sense of maturity that has kept us going and has separated us from the rest.

Ghanaians are not timid people; it is only a misinterpretation of what we have practiced over the years and has stuck with us; the true value of respect of each other’s views and non-violence approach to resolving differences.

SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION

Article 1 (2) of the 1992 Constitution states ‘ This Constitution shall be the supreme law of Ghana and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.’

The highest law of the land, the constitution, has been upheld and exercised over the matter of disqualification of presidential aspirants.

Wherever a country’s constitution is subverted, there is said to be civil unrest, but thankfully such was not the case in the country.

Even during the 2012 elections which were contested in the courts after the decision of the Electoral Commission, the two parties still resorted to the Constitution, and the court’s decisions were adhered to after pronouncement of judgment.

THE POWER OF THE TWO PARTY POLITICAL SYSTEM

Although the country is a multi-party country, Ghana still practices the two- party political system, where only two parties are recognized as the focal point to choose from the whole lot.

You could easily find excitement on the faces many others in the country. Hear the comments of people who assert that, this action by the EC in no way undermines anything, because those fourteen political parties were just on the scene to fill the gaps, and there was no way they would win power!

PNC Presidential Candidate Dr Edward Mahama, also dropped 

This system has the ability to undermine democracy to some extent. Although the two parties are top choice of the people, there is also an assertion that the others cannot exist and have anything meaningful in the terrain of national development.

Who pays attention to these parties that were disqualified?

Refusing to have any dealings with other political parties is a confrontation on our ability to assess and choose correctly. We need not choose political parties in such a manner. Paying attention to other parties affords one to learn more. Listen to manifestoes they present, and you would discover that they may have the solutions that we all need.

The two-party system polarizes the country on the need to have a flourishing democracy where other parties can also have the chance to make decisions; refreshing presence is much needed too. But this system only allows for the same kinds of political characters and cadres.

It also creates division in through the creation of supporters. Whenever violence sparks during elections, it is supporters who are involved owing to the variances in ideologies.

Listen to comments being passed; people are over-joyed at the disqualification of these parties. Would any of the two main parties had been qualified if they had faulted too? The spirit of the two-party system reigns supreme in Ghana.

A DEBACLE OF IRREGULARITIES

Until the cancellation of the documents of these fourteen aspirants, nobody really knew for sure if there have been previous cases in the history general elections, which have been overlooked.

PPP Candidate Kwesi Nduom, saved by the court, will contest

There were such irregularities as fraudulent signatures, absence of required number of signatures, improper filing of nomination forms, among other faults discovered by the EC.

This punishment would always serve as a deterrent for future elections; that if people have lost such a great opportunity to run for public office, others would be more careful the next time around.

The discovery and pinning of these irregularities undermine the quality of electioneering in Ghana, and so a strict correction and punishment of offenders is only one way of underscoring the importance of applying strict measures to document filling and presentation.

Wrongs have been corrected, but painfully for these hopefuls.

The presidential office is a lofty one, and should not be taken for granted.

LOOKING FORWARD WITH VERVE

Who said Ghanaians cannot move on? Life will go on as much as it used to. People will get over the trauma, and while majority opt for the two-party political system, most people do not care much about the fate of the other parties.

It is hoped that all will learn from this bitter experience, and grant excellence to document filling. While Ghanaians also learn some of these painful experiences, we would continue to embrace and respect democracy as we have always done.

We have remained matured over the years, and should continue on the journey.