Organising general election during Covid -19 period

NEWS COMMENTARY ON ORGANISING ELECTIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PERIOD.

According to former US President Abraham Lincoln, democracy is a system of government of the people, by the people, for the people. It is a system of government by the whole population. Leadership in this system is often through elections. Elections are key in a democratic regime. Transparency, fairness and consensus building before, during and after electioneering process are vital pillars in a democracy. Electorates have regular opportunities to elect leaders who prior to the election sell ideas in campaigns and manifestos aimed at enhancing the development of the state. Voting is ideally based on the messages and promises of politicians and beliefs of the electorates. Though countries in the Western World like America have practiced this system of governance for decades elections which are focal to the system are characterized with challenges in many diverse ways.

In Africa, the case is not different. Elections are also plagued with many problems, the greatest being the lack of transparency and accuracy of the process. Ghana is often lauded in Africa for its democratic achievements. This notwithstanding, elections in the country are fraught with some malpractices but at the end of every poll, Ghanaians accept the outcomes and move on peacefully. The Coronavirus pandemic has threatened organisations of elections in most countries that have elections this year.  Even though some countries have started easing COVID-19 restrictions to pave way for campaigns and elections, countries like Ghana are yet to decide whether political campaigns can be held without challenges as there is the need to respect the COVID-19 protocols.

How is the registration of the youth who have attained the age of voting going to be? Can a new voter register be done across the length and breadth of the country in the midst of the coronavirus threat? The Electoral Commission has in various statements indicated its resolve to go ahead with the compilation of a new register. It is our prayer that all parties agree to the roadmap to realize this objective. It is equally important for the EC to demonstrate that it is a listening body and must take into consideration suggestions from stakeholders.

Another issue worth discussing is political rally. How will political rallies be conducted? One could suggest the use of social media to reach the electorate but how would social media messages reach persons who do not have access to such online platforms or are unable to read and comprehend? It is against this background that all stakeholders in the political arena need to come together and deliberate on the way forward so as to agree on measures which would inure to the benefit of the nation.

This vital dialogue and engagement must be geared towards ensuring free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections in December to select parliamentarians and a president to govern the nation in the next level of its development.

BY DZANDU STANLEY ABORA, A SOUND ENGINEER, GHANA BROADCASTING CORPORATION, ACCRA.