Award-winning journalist and development communications specialist, Anny Kareem-Abdi Osabutey, has voiced serious concerns over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) recent handling of electoral matters, particularly the current shortfalls in the printing of presidential and parliamentary ballot papers, which have been made public.
In a pointed critique, Anny Osabutey stressed that while the EC is human and capable of mistakes, the repeated issues, especially emerging from the same region, are unsettling and cannot be dismissed as simple oversights.
Anny Osabutey’s statement highlighted a deeper issue, questioning the credibility and transparency of the EC, especially when the stakes are high in the lead-up to Ghana’s next general election.
“Also, when in the first supervised elections, the same EC kept coming up with two or so occasions, with ‘corrected’ figures etc. It’s a human institution that can make mistakes but some of these seemingly avoidable ‘mistakes’ cannot be said to be oversight; nope”.
Anny Kareem-Abdi Osabutey, Award Winning Journalist and Development Communications Specialist
Reacting to the controversies that have characterised the EC chairperson Jean Mensah’s leadership, Anny Osabutey emphasized that such lapses could be damaging to the institution’s integrity.
He argued that if the EC were headed by a different figure, such as the former Chairperson, Madam Charlotte Osei, who was controversially removed from office, the public would be far less forgiving of these repeated “mistakes.” “Just imagine if it were Madam Charlotte Osei supervising this and these “mistakes-corrections” were happening like her hair would have even been taken down,” he remarked.
The timing of these incidents he noted raised further concern, asserting that just hours after the signing of a peace pact, the EC issued updates with “corrected” figures, coincidentally from a region considered a stronghold of the opposition.
Anny Osabutey pointed out that this timing is highly problematic and could be viewed as casting doubt on the EC’s ability to manage the electoral process impartially, especially at such a crucial stage.
“Such things put the EC in a bad light, and no reasonable person can discount this as nothing,” he said, urging that the EC takes these issues seriously and work toward full transparency.
Implications for Peace Pact
Anny Osabutey’s critique also touched on the broader implications for the peace process in Ghana, particularly the role of the political elite in assuring free and fair elections.
He expressed concern over the superficial nature of the peace pact, which he believes should not be reduced to a public relations exercise.
“Those who call for politicians to sign peace pacts for the glitz and glamour should be worried about these issues. You cannot sit idly by and pretend that this is just a normal practice.
“If things go wrong, as they often do in complex processes like elections, you cannot expect to issue press releases to address the fallout. That is not how a peace process works.”
Anny Kareem-Abdi Osabutey, Award Winning Journalist and Development Communications Specialist
His remarks also drew attention to a disturbing trend revealed by recent findings from Afrobarometer, showing a significant drop in public confidence in the Electoral Commission.
He pointed out that according to the survey, a growing number of Ghanaians have expressed doubts about the EC’s ability to conduct a fair and transparent election.
This worrying development, Anny Osabutey warned should be taken seriously by all stakeholders in the electoral process, asserting that the call for a transparent, fair, and accountable electoral process is not just about ensuring a fair election but ensuring the legitimacy of Ghana’s democracy itself.
As Ghana heads toward its 2024 elections, Anny Osabutey’s statements serve as a reminder that democracy is a fragile system that requires the commitment of every institution involved, especially the EC, to uphold its integrity.
In closing, Anny Osabutey stressed that no matter who wins the upcoming election, Ghana must emerge as the true victor, adding that a fair, transparent, and credible electoral process is essential for the country’s future, and it is time for the EC to take steps to rebuild the trust that has been eroded.
Anny Osabutey aptly put it, “So far as we continue to pursue the path of democracy in this country, elections will always be held and parties will come and go, but the process has to be transparent, free, and fair”, he ended his remarks.
With the election season quickly approaching, it is crucial that the EC not only correct these errors but also restore the confidence of the Ghanaian public. Failure to do so could undermine the very foundation of Ghana’s democracy.
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