Ghana’s Electoral Commission requires Revolutionary Reforms – Expert

The conclusion of Ghana’s recent elections has reignited calls for revolutionary reforms within the Electoral Commission (EC) to enhance transparency and ensure the implementation of a robust and efficient electoral system for the benefit of the nation.

The December 7 polls were marred by allegations of transparency issues and malpractices involving the Electoral Commission Chairperson and her team. Some electoral experts have accused the Commission of financial mismanagement, citing instances such as the unnecessary printing and reprinting of ballot papers.

In an interview with GhanaNewsOnline, Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, a Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which is set to be inaugurated as the party in power, emphasized the challenges of contesting elections and the need for better electoral processes.

ELECTION PROCESSES

Dr. Rashid explained the comprehensive role his directorate plays in election management for the NDC.

“Our directorate is directly responsible for overseeing elections for the party. It is headed by Dr. Omane Boamah, supported by four deputies—two for elections and two for IT. Together, we form the core of the directorate, alongside 16 other members who assist with various activities,” he explained.

The directorate supervises every stage of the electoral process, from voter registration to the exhibition of voter lists. “We deploy teams across the country to ensure our members are on the voter register and that their names are accurately captured. We also monitor ballot printing and distribution to ensure fairness,” Dr. Rashid added.

On election day, the NDC deploys representatives to all 40,000 polling stations nationwide to monitor proceedings and report feedback. “Once results are declared, we collate them using our system to assess our chances of winning or losing,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of having capable party members in these roles.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION REFORMS

Dr. Rashid called for significant reforms within the EC, particularly concerning its IT systems, which he described as “completely outdated and ineffective.” He criticized the Commission for lacking an in-house IT director, relying instead on consultants for critical IT-related tasks.

“The EC’s lapses during the voter exhibition period exposed serious inefficiencies. A modernized IT system is crucial for the credibility of any election,” he stated.

He also highlighted the infiltration of political actors within the EC as detrimental to its image. “The Commission’s actions often seem to serve their appointing authorities rather than the Ghanaian people. During IPAC meetings, it was clear that certain appointees were working closely with the ruling government, raising transparency concerns repeatedly highlighted by the NDC,” Dr. Rashid remarked.

Dr. Rashid further urged the EC to adhere strictly to the CI passed into law in 2020 and called for a critical review of the registration process for political parties. “At one point, Ghana recorded 27 political parties, yet during the last elections, only the NDC and the NPP had agents at the polling stations. It’s a waste of taxpayers’ money to print voluminous ballot papers for parties that barely secure 0.1% of the votes,” he lamented.

He concluded by urging the EC to implement reforms that will restore public trust and enhance the electoral process in Ghana.

By Madjid Diallo || GhanaNewsOnline