Oliver Barker-Vormawor, a prominent lawyer and convenor of the Fix the Country Movement, has argued that the inclusion of Akua Donkor in the political equation poses more strategic challenges for the opposition than for the government.
According to Barker-Vormawor, for an opposition party to secure victory in an election, four key factors are essential.
He noted that the first is the support of its core members as these are individuals deeply committed to the party’s foundational philosophy and ideals.
He stated that they form the backbone of the party, either through their role in its formation or their active participation in sustaining it.
Barker-Vormawor stated that such members are typically politically aligned with the party and are almost certain to vote for it, barring minor exceptions.
“Secondly, there are ideological voters. Those whose votes are not committed to any party, but who vote based on their conviction or belief as to which party to them has the best political program; subjectively speaking!
“Thirdly, we have what we call protest voters. These are people who, are also disappointed by the Government that they have come out to vote against it, rather than for someone else. These protest voters are looking for just about anybody on the ballot to vote for apart from the government candidate… Protest voters truly want to see the Government out, they turn to bet on the party they perceive is more likely to help them achieve their goal of removing the Government”.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
He asserted that for the opposition, success depends on a high turnout from its members, ideological supporters, and protest voters.
He noted that voter turnout can be high or low. “At the same time, it requires a lower turnout for the members of the government party and its sympathetic ideological voters”.
Barker-Vormawor argued that with Akua Donkor’s inclusion, ideological voters—already few due to widespread distrust of politicians and manifestos—are unlikely to turn out in significant numbers.
He reasoned that this is due to the fact that issues like digitalization or a 24-hour economy fail to inspire them.“Trust me, the voter doesn’t believe any of you”.
Protest Voters to Decide 2024 Election Outcome
Moreover, Oliver Barker-Vormawor highlighted that protest voters, rather than ideological ones, will largely determine the outcome of the 2024 election.
He noted that both parties are aware of this, with the government using tactics like supporting minor parties, such as Akpaloo’s, to divide the protest vote and prevent it from benefiting the opposition.
“In Nigeria, but for Peter Obi sucking away the protest vote from the traditional opposition PDP, the government candidate would have lost the election. Catch my drift?
“Now Akua Donkor is no Peter Obi. But this is where you will be wrong. I know that a lot of protest voters going into this election; now more than before are very unenthused about any of the options on the ballot. Many of these protest voters are looking for an opportunity to embarrass the system”.
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
Barker-Vormawor questioned the irony of voting for a deceased candidate.
He suggested that Ghanaians might prefer seeing Akua Donkor finish third rather than any small parties or independents. “Why Akua Donkor? Because she is dead!! Voting for a dead candidate is a stronger criticism of the system than an alive one”.
Barker-Vormawor argued that a deceased Akua Donkor would attract more sympathy votes, likely from protest voters who could have supported the main opposition party.
He pointed out that rejected ballots often outperform independent and third-party candidates in Ghana.
He questioned why, given the country’s voter literacy challenges, the NDC would complicate matters by including a dead candidate.
Vomawor suggested the party’s strategy was to protect No. 8 and avoid challenging the decision. “I think this is a bad calculation, and in fact dealing with false alternatives”.
Barker-Vormawor questioned why the NDC didn’t ask the EC to blur Akua Donkor’s name if numbers were their concern.
He found it unstrategic for the party to present a dead candidate to its core protest voters. “Now, if the NDC thinks this is a better approach; how does that concern me. They know their electoral strategy better”.
Barker-Vormawor argued that presenting Akua Donkor’s picture violates voters’ right to informed representation.
He stated that had he trusted the Chief Justice’s neutrality, he would have gone to the Supreme Court concerning this matter. “I don’t!”
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