Opinions of Thursday, 13 December 2012

Columnist: Owusu-Nkwantabisa, Nana

Why is it okay to extend voting but

not okay to wait for the NPP’s concerns to be addressed before results are declared?

Consistently, the EC has proven itself to be biased against the NPP or at least that is the impression one gets. We all owe a duty to mother Ghana to ensure that it progresses. At this stage in our development, our democratic credentials take precedence. 81% of registered voters braved the elements to show up, some returning a second day. The EC pleaded and compromised agreed rules for all of that. However, when it came to declaring results in favor of Afari Djan’s party, he was eager and anxious to do so.

Nana Addo who won a first round in 2008 agreed to a second round ballot in which he lost. He has every right to believe that he was robbed then but for the sake of democracy, allowed the EC to do what it needed to do. This time round, when the odds were turned against him, Afari Djan couldn’t wait.

This was a wonderful opportunity to convince all Ghanaians that true democracy has arrived. I wonder if the Electoral Commission passed.

Nana Owusu-Nkwantabisa