A fellow of the Frimpong Manso Institute, Dr. Emmanuel Dei Tumi has raised concerns on the NDC Demo Against the Electoral Commission, on the NDC’s demands for an audit of the voters’ register ahead of Ghana’s upcoming elections.

Dr. Tumi stressed the importance of transparency and dialogue to maintain peace during this critical period. Dr. Tumi emphasized the need for negotiations and a peaceful resolution to electoral. Dr. Tumi pointed out that the NDC’s demand for an audit of the voters’ register is fundamentally based on their belief in the necessity of transparency in the electoral process.

“There is nothing wrong with what the NDC is doing fundamentally because they are practicing their fundamental human right.”
Dr. Emmanuel Dei Tumi fellow of the Frimpong Manso Institute

While supporting the NDC’s right to demonstrate, Dr. Tumi emphasized the importance of addressing their concerns through the proper institutional frameworks to ensure the election process remains credible.

The Importance of Transparency in Democratic Elections

Dr. Tumi highlighted that democracy in Africa can only thrive with transparency. He underscored that the electoral process must involve openness from all actors, particularly those responsible for overseeing the elections.

“Democracy can only succeed in Africa when there is transparency. Now to get transparency also implies that every actor in the system or the process needs to be transparent to themselves.”
Dr. Emmanuel Dei Tumi fellow of the Frimpong Manso Institute

Dr. Tumi suggested that the involvement of institutions such as the Peace Council, civil society, and religious organizations could provide a framework for dialogue between political parties and the Electoral Commission (EC).

The Role of Dialogue and Key Institutions

The solution to this electoral challenge, according to Dr. Tumi, lies in open dialogue.

Dr. Tumi advocated for calm and emphasized that all parties should prioritize the peace and stability of the country during this period. Dr. Tumi made it clear that the credibility of the voters’ register is a critical issue. He acknowledged the NDC’s concerns and called for a transparent review to ensure all political actors are confident in the electoral process.

“You cannot have an election with a register which is not credible. So the question is, what can we do to ensure that all the actors within the political system are comfortable with the electoral register that is going to be used?”
Dr. Emmanuel Dei Tumi fellow of the Frimpong Manso Institute

This statement encapsulated on the central demand of the NDC and the necessity for ensuring all parties feel assured of the fairness of the electoral process. Dr. Tumi referred to Kenya’s previous electoral challenges to highlight the importance of addressing such issues before elections take place. He explained that costly errors, as seen in Kenya, should be avoided in Ghana.

“Take, for example, Kenya. I think the previous election they did, Kenya spent almost $1 billion. After that, what happened? They had to cancel the whole election. They went to court and all that. We don’t want to go into that.”
Dr. Emmanuel Dei Tumi fellow of the Frimpong Manso Institute

By learning from other nations’ mistakes, Ghana can ensure a peaceful and transparent electoral process. Both the EC and the political parties must demonstrate flexibility in addressing the issues surrounding the voters’ register. Dr. Tumi emphasized that negotiations should be approached with an open mind, and no party should adopt an entrenched position.

“The NDC, on the other hand, must be willing not to take an entrenched position. If the Electoral Commission says, ‘Look, we’ve addressed your issues; this is what we have come up with,’ they should also approach that from a position of transparency.”
Dr. Emmanuel Dei Tumi fellow of the Frimpong Manso Institute

This point highlighted the need for both sides to engage constructively to resolve the situation.

The Role of Civil Society and the Peace Council

Dr. Tumi also stressed that resolving electoral disputes should not be left solely to the political parties. He advocated for the involvement of impartial institutions such as the Peace Council and civil society groups to ensure transparency.

“At the end of the day, if you have people who do not have a direct interest in the outcome of the election by way of active participation, but you have the Peace Council, civil society, and all of that to authenticate the position of the EC, that should be credible enough for all parties to accept it.”
Dr. Emmanuel Dei Tumi fellow of the Frimpong Manso Institute

This approach would help maintain trust and credibility in the electoral process. Dr. Tumi emphasized that the ultimate goal is peace and unity for the country. He called on all political actors to prioritize the country’s interests and approach negotiations with transparency and openness. He reiterated; “Let’s have peace. Let’s ensure that the election that is coming up is so peaceful and that every actor in the process is comfortable. To do so, transparency is key.”

Dr. Tumi’s called for calm and transparency reflected the importance of ensuring that Ghana’s electoral process remains peaceful, credible, and democratic. Dr. Tumi provided a roadmap for addressing the tensions surrounding the voters’ register, urging all parties to embrace dialogue and avoid entrenched positions for the sake of Ghana’s peace and stability.