Elections are a fundamental aspect of any democracy, providing citizens with the opportunity to choose their leaders and influence governance.
The integrity of the electoral process is crucial in ensuring fair representation and fostering public trust in institutions. For instance, ahead of the 2024 elections in Ghana, the Electoral Commission (EC) plays a central role in organizing, overseeing, and validating the upcoming general election.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, Dr. Bossman Asare, has justified the disqualification of ten presidential candidates for the upcoming 2024 elections.
He clarified the process undertaken by the commission and addressed the rationale behind the disqualifications, asserting that the EC followed a rigorous and transparent process.
Dr. Asare began by explaining the structured approach taken by the Electoral Commission during the nomination process.
“When we started the nomination process, the returning officer of the presidential election did announce that the commission has two committees, a technical committee and an IT committee. These two committees were given specific responsibilities.”
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the Electoral Commission (EC)
He went on to explain that the technical committee was responsible for ensuring that all the applicants, including their running mates, were qualified.
Meanwhile, the IT committee focused on verifying the eligibility of individuals endorsing the candidates. Both committees worked rigorously to ensure that the requirements of the commission were met.
He emphasized that the disqualification was based on the failure of these candidates to meet the set requirements, not on personal biases or political motivations.
“After the entire exercise, we noticed that about 10 of them, actually 11, one of them dropped out. So, making it ten [who] couldn’t satisfy the requirements of the commission.”
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the Electoral Commission (EC)
He further dismissed the notion that the EC’s decision was influenced by any external factors, underscoring the objectivity of the process.
“Anyone who is out there thinking that maybe the commission took a personal decision or the commission did not like that particular person or the party, the person is making a very serious mistake.”
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the Electoral Commission (EC)
Enough Evidence Supporting Disqualification
To further substantiate the EC’s decision, Dr. Asare provided an example of some of the disqualifying errors made by the candidates.
“For example, one of the candidates, a supporter of Juaboso is a registered voter in Tano South District. By law, you are supposed to have two people endorsing your candidature from every district of our country.”
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the Electoral Commission (EC)
He also mentioned instances where multiple people appeared to have the same signature, which raised fraud concerns.
“We even had instances where somebody was registered in, let’s say, Okaikoi and was endorsing the candidate of someone, indicating that he was registered in, let’s say, Bantima.”
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the Electoral Commission (EC)
These discrepancies, among others, were found in several of the disqualified candidates’ applications. Dr. Asare reiterated that the EC would be able to provide all necessary evidences when the matter is called to court.
Corrections and Opportunities Provided to Candidates
Moreover, he explained that the EC tried to ensure the process was fair and transparent. However, despite this, some candidates failed to rectify their mistakes, leading to their disqualification. He reiterated; “A number of them couldn’t complete the forms. Some of the pages were empty. We gave them the opportunity. Some of them didn’t have people even endorsing [their candidacy].”
He added that only three parties, including two major political parties and one independent candidate, completed the corrections required by the commission.
Regarding the voter registration process, Dr. Asare highlighted the commission’s efforts to ensure that the register is credible and transparent and that the commission is fully committed to ensuring that all political parties have access to the most up-to-date information.
“The register was given to the parties in 2020. The register was given to the parties again in 2023. So, I know any party should have that, and we’ve again given the registers to the parties in 2024 for each district.”
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the Electoral Commission (EC)
The Audit and Finalization of the Voter Register
Dr. Asare also addressed the issue of auditing the voter register, which has been a subject of public debate. He affirmed that the EC is open to the audit process as mandated by the law.
The audit process is part of the legal framework governing elections in Ghana, and the EC is committed to following the procedures laid out in the legislation.
“The audit is in the law. CI 91, regulation 23, regulation 24… [The] commission is not against anything, but what we are saying is that is what the law has provided for. Why do you want us to depart from it?”
Dr. Bossman Asare Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the Electoral Commission (EC)
Dr. Asare also assured the public that the final voter register would be with no error. He emphasized; “The commission is fully convinced that we are going to get a final register that is credible, that is robust, and that will be fit for the 2024 general election.”
Dr. Bossman Asare’s statement highlighted the Electoral Commission’s commitment to ensuring a fair, transparent, and credible electoral process.
The disqualification of ten presidential candidates was based on their failure to meet the established requirements, and the commission is prepared to defend its decision in court.
Meanwhile, the EC has also emphasized its transparency in the voter registration process and its readiness to follow the legal framework governing elections in Ghana.
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