The Ghanaian Times shares in the optimism expressed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Head of the National Election Task Force, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, that the country is going to have “peaceful and credible elections, considering the way and manner in which the Electoral Commission (EC) has conducted itself throughout the process leading to the conduct of the elections.
Credibility and peacefulness are two critical conditions that underpin successful elections.
It is on record that everywhere around the globe, credible elections are characterised by inclusiveness, transparency, accountability, and competitiveness.
The experts say inclusive elections provide equal opportunities for all eligible citizens to participate as voters in selecting their representatives and also as candidates for election to government.
Only reasonable restrictions on participation are exercised such as a minimum age for voting and standing as an electoral contestant.
Besides, elections are transparent when each step is open to scrutiny, and stakeholders can independently verify whether the process is conducted honestly and accurately.
The principle of transparency is said to be linked to the fundamental right of citizens to seek, receive and impart information (freedom of expression elements), and the right to take part in government and public affairs.
Accountability in elections is said to refer to the rights of citizens with respect to the conduct of other electoral stakeholders, including the government, election management bodies like the EC in the case of the country, political parties, candidates and security forces.
Happily elections are a key mechanism through which citizens hold their governments accountable by retaining them in power to show appreciation for its good work or boot it out of power to demonstrate disaffection for it for not fulfilling electoral promises or not being able to handle the economy well.
There is also the need for accountability within election processes themselves, in which nothing is taken for granted, particularly by the stakeholders – the government, the EC and the political parties, relevant civil society organisations and the media.
Elections are said to be competitive when citizens have reasonable and equitable opportunities to compete to be elected to governmental offices.
Political competition is accepted as a central component of elections that truly reflects the will of the people.
So far, with the exception of citizens going to hold the ruling New Patriotic Party accountable by retaining it in power or booting it out of power, which decision is reserved for December 7, 2024, The Ghanaian Times thinks so far the principles of credible elections have been followed by all stakeholders.
What is even remarkable is that the EC has assured the public that no registered voter will be disenfranchised because they have lost their voter’s identity cards or did not bring them to the polling stations even though the cards would make it easier to vote.
What is most important now is having peaceful elections, which is strictly buoyed by security, and so another issue raised by the Head of the National Election Task Force that there will be peaceful elections cannot be dismissed.
But for some miscreants who would like to flex their dirty and weak muscles, the December 7 elections would pass without any incidents because the principles of electoral credibility have been followed, considering the fact that issues raised by stakeholders have been addressed amicably.
However, since miscreants can be mischievous, The Ghanaian Times would like every member of the public to be vigilant, while relying on the assurance by the IGP that the security apparatus will be employed to protect all Ghanaians, including members of the EC.
Hopefully, this protection has started and would run stronger during and after the elections, to keep the country peaceful and safe for its forward march.