Mounting Of Campaign Platforms For Assembly And Unit Committee Members

NEWS COMMENTARY ON MOUNTING OF CAMPAIGN PLATFORMS FOR ASSEMBLY AND UNIT COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

As part of the preparation towards the 2019 District Level Elections, mounting of platform is being organised throughout Ghana in all electoral areas where elections will take place. This is in accordance with the Constitutional Instrument, C-I 89, the law that currently governs the conduct of local government elections in Ghana. The mounting of the platform is unique and a very important component in the District Level Election process. It offers all the candidates equal opportunity on the common platform organised by the Electoral Commission to present their manifestos to the public at no cost to the candidates. It also provides the public the opportunity to see and hear their prospective representatives and ask them questions based on their manifestos and scrutinise their abilities and eligibility to lead the Electoral Areas as Assembly members and Unit Committee members. Furthermore, the platform will help the electorate to make informed decisions.

One important thing that the electorate and the candidates should know is the fact that the opportunities granted through the platform does not grant anybody immunity from the law on libel. Therefore, it is essential for candidates to avoid defamation of their opponents for electoral advantage. They should be decorous in their speeches. Those who will ask questions should refrain from derogatory remarks as the platform is not an opportunity to score unnecessary political points or settle old scores. Let us all be interested in the local government elections and adequately participate in all stages. It is important for the electorate to place the same premium they put on the presidential and parliamentary elections on the District elections.

Electorate must be reminded that Local Government elections are about bringing development closer to their doorsteps. The assemblymen and women as well as Unit Committee members facilitate development and the welfare of our communities and serve as our opinion leaders. To this end, it is vital that we take every aspect of the processes leading to their selection seriously. This is a fundamental civic right and responsibility that we cannot afford to ignore if we all mean well for the development of our nation in general and our communities in particular.

Long live our Local Government system and Long Live Ghana.

BY GABRIEL DEI, BONO EAST REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION.