STAY SANE, ELECTORAL COMMISSION.

“Perhaps a new spirit is rising among us. If it is, let us trace its movements and pray that our own inner being may be sensitive to its guidance, for we are deeply in need of a new way beyond the darkness that seems so close around us.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr.

This piece has been prompted in part by certain suggestions that have been made to the Electoral Commission in the wake of the first round of voting for possible amendments to the voting process before the second round of voting on December 28, 2008.

The first was by the headline in the Graphic Newspaper of Friday, December 12, 2008 captioned “Open More Polling Stations for Presidential Run-off, Elections Task Force Urges”. It was written by Albert Salia. The Graphic reported that the National Elections Security Task Force has suggested the opening of more polling stations to reduce the tension and conflict that are associated with elections in the country. It noted that whereas some polling stations had between 500 and 600 voters, others catered for more than 1000 voters. Such high numbers, the story continued, often contributed to anxiety among voters to vote early and also accounted for the late close of polls at those stations.

This call was made by the Venerable Patrick Acheampong Esq., who is the Chairman of the Task Force and the incumbent IGP when he addressed newsmen. The IGP was of the opinion that if more polling stations were opened to accommodate fewer voters, voting would end early and the counting of votes would be made easier.

Lately, another suggestion has also been made that the indelible ink must be applied after voting has been completed and not prior to voting!

I beg to differ!

I must, however, first of all use the opportunity to congratulate the National Elections Security Task Force for the exhibition of supreme competence at the just ended first round of elections. Having been on the ground in one of the rural constituencies during the period, I bear testimony to the work that the security services have done. The nation salutes you, all!

It is understandable that in the period before the second round, a lot of opinions will be bandied about. I also do not dispute that these suggestions may be informed by the desire to improve the process and further assure transparency and efficiency in the electoral process. I am however calling on the Electoral Commission not to change the procedures on voting prior to December 28, 2008. The suggestion by the National Electoral Task Force seems fraught with the very dangers it seeks to avoid. Having voted at particular polling stations, every citizen who participated in the process will not wake up on December 28, 2008 unaware of which poling station he should go to. The second round is where all the suppressed bad traits are going to show. Establishing more polling stations will lead to chaos because there will be no time to exhibit the changed Register so that eligible voters can ascertain where their polling stations are before the election date. It will throw up the possible scenario of citizens scurrying around on Election Day determining where they have been assigned to. It is a recipe for the same disaster that the Task Force has been assigned to prevent and-or manage. The Electoral Commission should keep the polling stations as they are. After we have cast our vote on December 28, 2008, they should seriously consider the suggestion by the Venerable Patrick Acheampong Esq. and reduce the numbers at polling stations by creating more polling stations to cater for them. Agya Afare, after the elections but NEVER before the second round!!!

On the issue of marking the finger with indelible ink after voting and not prior to, the least said about it the better. It is a rather strange way to resolve a non-issue. I fully agree with Dr. Akweetey of IDEG, I believe, whom I heard this morning on Joy FM make the arguments rather forcefully that it is near impossible to enforce and will also lead to more chaos. If implemented, it also has a very high potential to disrupt the elections. In the first round, macho men were brazen enough to attempt snatching ballot boxes in Akwatia, Eastern Region. After an individual has voted, he has very little incentive to hang around for the finger to be marked. Further, it will give an unnecessary incentive to people who have made up their minds to engage in double voting. Agya Afare, please ignore this suggestion completely. Please tell them, tofiakwa!!!

The Electoral Commission should remember that at this time when both candidates are so jittery and re-strategising, it should not do anything to provide fodder for fertile minds to begin imagining all sorts of nefarious thoughts and use that to justify any attempts at impugning the integrity of the impending vote. There are still trying times ahead for the Electoral Commission but I have a strong belief that you are equipped to deal with them.

To the Electoral Commission, I say ayekoo! You have made us all proud. However your work is cut out for you. On December 28, 2008, remain impartial and let a fair process determine who our next leader should be. Around the world, Ghana is challenging perceptions of the African. Yes we can. Yes we have! Yes, we would!

To the National Elections Security Task Force, I say your work is cut out for you. The real work will be done on December 28, 2008. In Africa, when push comes to shove, some one always does something pretty silly. You are the professionals. You have already demonstrated your abilities. I have an abiding belief in your ability to remain as professional as possible in these trying circumstances. As indicated in an earlier piece, God has given us the best Christmas package this nation could ever ask for. Our Parliament which was a source of bitter disappointment to some of us has been given a lifeline to act like a real parliament. All we therefore need is for our citizens to exercise their franchise in a free, fair and transparent manner to assure us an executive that will have to contend with a real House which has lost all its rubber stamps. I do not envy you in your rather tasking job but I do wish you well on December 28, 2008 and beyond.

God Bless Our Homeland Ghana And Make Our Nation Great and Strong!

JOE ABOAGYE DEBRAH Esq. Accra