Hi Kwaku, Thank you for your objective and insightful analysis of the electoral facts & circumstances in our homeland, Ghana.
Hi Kwaku, Thank you for your objective and insightful analysis of the electoral facts & circumstances in our homeland, Ghana.
Don Blunt 10 years ago
Yes, very beautiful.
But the source of the root problem seems to be our 1992 Constitution which calls for the President to appoint the EC Chairman (and the other Officials?).
There is little that Parliament can do, when th ... read full comment
Yes, very beautiful.
But the source of the root problem seems to be our 1992 Constitution which calls for the President to appoint the EC Chairman (and the other Officials?).
There is little that Parliament can do, when the advantaged Party holds the majority to object to commonsense
Atinga Kobla Atongo 10 years ago
KWAKU! THIS IS SUPER, BUT I AM AFRAID THEY MAY NOT READ TO UNDERSTAND AND SEE HOW NECESSARY IT IS TO ADOPT YOUR WISE SUGGESTED CHANGES.
2012 ELECTION AND HOW IT WAS CONDUCTED WAS A JOKE AND A DISGRACE. THEY MUST PAY YOU A CO ... read full comment
KWAKU! THIS IS SUPER, BUT I AM AFRAID THEY MAY NOT READ TO UNDERSTAND AND SEE HOW NECESSARY IT IS TO ADOPT YOUR WISE SUGGESTED CHANGES.
2012 ELECTION AND HOW IT WAS CONDUCTED WAS A JOKE AND A DISGRACE. THEY MUST PAY YOU A CONSULTATION FEE.
WISE MAN!
Otu 10 years ago
"Assuming a 2012 population of 25 million, the population quota is approximately equal to 91,000. Our laws also appropriately anticipate and accommodate reasonable and unavoidable variance from the population quota to account ... read full comment
"Assuming a 2012 population of 25 million, the population quota is approximately equal to 91,000. Our laws also appropriately anticipate and accommodate reasonable and unavoidable variance from the population quota to account for means of communication, geographical features, population density, regional, administrative and other traditional boundaries.
"For the 2012 elections, the constituency sizes range from 12,082 to 126,659. Thirteen (13) constituencies have over 100,000 registered voters and 12 have less than 20,000 registered voters. These numbers understate the extent of malapportionment as the constituencies with the highest number of voters also probably have the highest number of unregistered citizens, hence inhabitants.
"Although no law currently defines what is a reasonable variance from the population quota, it seems obvious that there is something fundamentally wrong and undemocratic with an election that weighs a vote in some constituencies to be worth as much as 10 votes in other constituencies. Such a ratio clearly undermines the principle inherent in using a population quota as a basis for apportionment. This is a problem that Parliament can fix by stipulating an acceptable variance for future elections. For instance, Parliament can stipulate a 10% boundary on either side of the population quota (e.g., 81,900 to 100,100)."
This is the only sensible section of the whole piece. I had noticed the variance in constituency sizes few elections ago. I was surperised none of the political gurus seemed to notice it as well. It must change. It is good though, that someone IS trying to solve Ghana's problems. Who will listen?
Nyansasem 10 years ago
When you have an EC who believed that it was important to create new constituencies two months before election but complained about money and time to train his staff for the same election then you know that we have a problem. ... read full comment
When you have an EC who believed that it was important to create new constituencies two months before election but complained about money and time to train his staff for the same election then you know that we have a problem.
That was most stupid thing ever done in by any EC in this world. And here, we are not talking about how he had saddled this poor nation with another forty useless MPs that the taxpayers must worship and pay them till Kingdom come.
But Kwaku, why is the opposition not picking up this matter? Are they waiting for 2016 and complain again about Mahama stealing the election. Seriously, if you guys don't put your act together but come back and complain again, we the people will descend on you guys and strip you naked to give you lashes that will send you to your graves. We swear on Obuotabiri.
LONTO-BOY 10 years ago
Nyansasem, one would have thought following the 2012 Supreme Court Petition and the subsequent verdict, the NPP should have been the party pressing for reforms of the country's Election Laws. But the NPP politicians and strat ... read full comment
Nyansasem, one would have thought following the 2012 Supreme Court Petition and the subsequent verdict, the NPP should have been the party pressing for reforms of the country's Election Laws. But the NPP politicians and strategists are busy scheming and positioning themselves for the party's leadership and fighting each other only to be "outmanoeuvred" by streetwise NDC at the general election.
Georgee 10 years ago
Is it not time for Afari Djan to leave the scene for an Appeals Court Judge to take over? He sent this country to the brink. His sicerity is in serious doubt.
Is it not time for Afari Djan to leave the scene for an Appeals Court Judge to take over? He sent this country to the brink. His sicerity is in serious doubt.
Offei Ansah 10 years ago
While NPP is wasting energy on who should be flagbearer is beyond me. This Asare has raised issues that NPP should be dwelling on. Excellent article.
While NPP is wasting energy on who should be flagbearer is beyond me. This Asare has raised issues that NPP should be dwelling on. Excellent article.
Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK 10 years ago
Azar, it beggars belief that the urgency for Electoral Reforms that was generated during the petition has so soon died down. Both NDC and NPP have kept quiet over electoral reforms whilst Dr Afari-Gyan comes out ridiculous pr ... read full comment
Azar, it beggars belief that the urgency for Electoral Reforms that was generated during the petition has so soon died down. Both NDC and NPP have kept quiet over electoral reforms whilst Dr Afari-Gyan comes out ridiculous proposals.
On the matters of election date, Article 64 matters and investiture, I am not worried about the time of elections and handover date as far as any petition is resolved before the investiture. Here in the UK, the hand over is done the very day elections results are confirmed and the outgoing Prime Minister goes to see the Queen to tender his resignation. That is followed immediately by the leader of the party with majority in the new parliament to see the Queen for the blessing to form the next government. Handing over is done (to senior civil servants). In the same way Ghana can do hand over within days. In fact, the government at the time of elections should prepare its hand over notes in advance whether the incumbent president is contesting for a second term or not. The opposition party's candidate should also have a group in waiting that can be ready within hours of the election results being confirmed by the EC to deal with the government to discuss handing over if there is change of government.
The most pressing one is the date of election and the period for resolving any Article 64 matters before the investiture.
You are right that members of the EC should be subject to approval by the Legislature through rigorous vetting processes.
Sadly, it appears the two main parties are not interested in any electoral reforms in Ghana as the status quo may be benefiting them.
Kwadwo Poku 10 years ago
Kofi, election and handing over dates are just mere branches of the unfruitful tree we have which is the constitution. Until we come to grips of knowing that this sham governing document is the bane of our demise, we will con ... read full comment
Kofi, election and handing over dates are just mere branches of the unfruitful tree we have which is the constitution. Until we come to grips of knowing that this sham governing document is the bane of our demise, we will continue on this rabbit trails which leads to nowhere.
ATO WILLIAMS 10 years ago
Dear Kwaku,
This is a well presented treatise on our electoral problems that must receive priority attention from all of us as electorate and not just the politcal parties . The negative fallout of not reforming the EC,- its ... read full comment
Dear Kwaku,
This is a well presented treatise on our electoral problems that must receive priority attention from all of us as electorate and not just the politcal parties . The negative fallout of not reforming the EC,- its appointments,autonomy, creation of constituencies,maintaining a credible register etc, jutaposed against the Supreme Court ruling, indicates that we must act swiftly before 2016 elections. I shudder to imagine if we go into that election with these same set of rules, moreso when the mantra these days is that"no court again, the polling station will decide". This statement portends violence and abitrary actions likely to occur when disputes arise on polling day.I salute this patriotic nature of yours. I guess some view it otherwise.It is prudent that we all see your concerns in a positive light. Kudos
KKO 10 years ago
Kwaku,
This is an excellent piece! The real worry is why the NPP in particular, which must have spent millions on the petition, seems not to care about the reform of a useless EC with an idiotic and totally discredited chai ... read full comment
Kwaku,
This is an excellent piece! The real worry is why the NPP in particular, which must have spent millions on the petition, seems not to care about the reform of a useless EC with an idiotic and totally discredited chairman.
I believe it for all of us Ghanaians to begin agitation NOW for reform because whether we live in Ghana or outside, the inevitable chaos that will be visited on Ghana before, during and after Election 2016 will affect all of us.
Well don Kwaku!
Okonko 10 years ago
It is unfortunate when so called intelligent people become so partisan that their sense of objectivity is completely beclouded by partisan sentiments and considerations.Was it necessary to describe the SC verdict as confusing ... read full comment
It is unfortunate when so called intelligent people become so partisan that their sense of objectivity is completely beclouded by partisan sentiments and considerations.Was it necessary to describe the SC verdict as confusing and also to suggest that any future election disputes are likely to be resolved by extra-judicial mechanisms when this writer's proposed suggestions for reforms are ignored.
It is one thing calling for electoral reforms and making suggestions to improve it but when it is imputed that the results of the last election was influenced by the inadequacy of the electoral process then partisanship has been unfairly introduced into the debate and therefore its objectivity is compromised.
We all know where this writer stands in the political arena so he doesn’t have to do a veil of seven dances before we know that he a die hard npp supporter.What is interesting though is his selective criticisms of certain aspects of the elections and its aftermath and the constitution especially areas he thought did not favour their cause. Left to him the contempt laws should be expunged to leave the judiciary vulnerable to ridicule and the undermining of its authority.
It is very clear to me that most of what he sees as the SC mess are actually constitutional powers of interpretation given to the SC court.Unless of course he wants to say that he is better than the collective wisdom of that SC panel he must respect their decision.Of course you can disagree without the insinuations and disrespect of this institution.
Of course we all know that with our constitutional experiment, there will be a need to revisit certain aspects of our constitution and our electoral process as we go along from time to time but it will be better to do that dispassionately without the partisanship especially from our academics.
Kwesi Agbenu 10 years ago
Good piece. Will NDC ever commit itself to decency? NDC thrives in indecency and they will want the status quo to remainin the proceeses of elections
Good piece. Will NDC ever commit itself to decency? NDC thrives in indecency and they will want the status quo to remainin the proceeses of elections
Atinga Kobla Atongo 10 years ago
ALL PARTIES MUST FOCUS ON ELECTORAL REFORMS NOW. IT FAVOURS YOU AS A PARTY IN POWER BUT IT MAY GO AGAINST YOU WHEN YOU LOOSE THE ELECTIONS.
ALL PARTIES MUST FOCUS ON ELECTORAL REFORMS NOW. IT FAVOURS YOU AS A PARTY IN POWER BUT IT MAY GO AGAINST YOU WHEN YOU LOOSE THE ELECTIONS.
Hi Kwaku, Thank you for your objective and insightful analysis of the electoral facts & circumstances in our homeland, Ghana.
Yes, very beautiful.
But the source of the root problem seems to be our 1992 Constitution which calls for the President to appoint the EC Chairman (and the other Officials?).
There is little that Parliament can do, when th ...
read full comment
KWAKU! THIS IS SUPER, BUT I AM AFRAID THEY MAY NOT READ TO UNDERSTAND AND SEE HOW NECESSARY IT IS TO ADOPT YOUR WISE SUGGESTED CHANGES.
2012 ELECTION AND HOW IT WAS CONDUCTED WAS A JOKE AND A DISGRACE. THEY MUST PAY YOU A CO ...
read full comment
"Assuming a 2012 population of 25 million, the population quota is approximately equal to 91,000. Our laws also appropriately anticipate and accommodate reasonable and unavoidable variance from the population quota to account ...
read full comment
When you have an EC who believed that it was important to create new constituencies two months before election but complained about money and time to train his staff for the same election then you know that we have a problem. ...
read full comment
Nyansasem, one would have thought following the 2012 Supreme Court Petition and the subsequent verdict, the NPP should have been the party pressing for reforms of the country's Election Laws. But the NPP politicians and strat ...
read full comment
Is it not time for Afari Djan to leave the scene for an Appeals Court Judge to take over? He sent this country to the brink. His sicerity is in serious doubt.
While NPP is wasting energy on who should be flagbearer is beyond me. This Asare has raised issues that NPP should be dwelling on. Excellent article.
Azar, it beggars belief that the urgency for Electoral Reforms that was generated during the petition has so soon died down. Both NDC and NPP have kept quiet over electoral reforms whilst Dr Afari-Gyan comes out ridiculous pr ...
read full comment
Kofi, election and handing over dates are just mere branches of the unfruitful tree we have which is the constitution. Until we come to grips of knowing that this sham governing document is the bane of our demise, we will con ...
read full comment
Dear Kwaku,
This is a well presented treatise on our electoral problems that must receive priority attention from all of us as electorate and not just the politcal parties . The negative fallout of not reforming the EC,- its ...
read full comment
Kwaku,
This is an excellent piece! The real worry is why the NPP in particular, which must have spent millions on the petition, seems not to care about the reform of a useless EC with an idiotic and totally discredited chai ...
read full comment
It is unfortunate when so called intelligent people become so partisan that their sense of objectivity is completely beclouded by partisan sentiments and considerations.Was it necessary to describe the SC verdict as confusing ...
read full comment
Good piece. Will NDC ever commit itself to decency? NDC thrives in indecency and they will want the status quo to remainin the proceeses of elections
ALL PARTIES MUST FOCUS ON ELECTORAL REFORMS NOW. IT FAVOURS YOU AS A PARTY IN POWER BUT IT MAY GO AGAINST YOU WHEN YOU LOOSE THE ELECTIONS.