FOR very good reasons, we are today returning to the subject of the preparations towards the December 7 elections during which the electorate will make a choice between the policies of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and many other political parties.
It is worrying that Ghana must be on the brink of violence due to election-related mayhem in parts of the Northern Region, after the country had been acclaimed a model of democratic governance on the African continent.
The Daily Graphic recalls that only recently, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, reminded Ghanaians that the “credibility of the December presidential and legislative polls will not be determined by the commission alone but also by how all stakeholders — the ruling government, the political parties, the security agencies, the media, the electorate and the entire civil society — tackle their shared responsibility”.
International declarations, agreements and norms unambiguously establish democratic elections as the basis of legitimate government. Indeed, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides that the “will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government” as “expressed in periodic and genuine elections”.
It is for this reason that all good people in the country do not lose the opportunity to make a plea for free, fair and peaceful elections on December 7. For, fair elections have become an increasingly key requirement for governments to gain legitimacy in the eyes of their citizens and the international community.
Casting votes to select who will represent them in public office is a demonstration of patriotism by the electorate. And since 1992, Ghanaians have exercised this judgement by electing their leaders through elections declared as free and fair by our neighbours.
December 7 offers another fantastic opportunity to demonstrate to the whole world that we want to consolidate our democratic governance. The Daily Graphic, therefore, reminds all party supporters, particularly those in the Northern Region, to say no to the intermittent outbreak of violence resulting in the loss of lives as in the case of the mayhem in Gushiegu. We dare say that whether lose or win on December 7, all Ghanaians will want to live in peace with their neighbours in order to get on with their lives.
It will be catastrophic and an international disgrace to sacrifice the country and the people just because our political parties want to win the elections at all costs. The Daily Graphic calls on party leaders, particularly the flag bearers, to come out openly to denounce their supporters who preach violence and mayhem and pledge to ensure that the country remains peaceful before, during and after the elections.
Already some party leaders have called on their supporters to be vigilant. Surely, we endorse the need to be vigilant but everybody must act within the confines of the law. We all have a duty to protect the integrity of the polls by ensuring that the polls are free and fair. But it is criminal to take the law into one’s hands in the name of protecting the polls.
It is also important to remind the authorities to help kill the culture of impunity in our society by prosecuting offenders to serve as a deterrent to others who would want to incite people to violence during the run-up to the elections.
The Daily Graphic is disturbed about the frequent condemnation of state institutions on perceived bias, even when it is proven that the challenges emanated from human errors. It is our conviction that the time has come for our people to have faith and trust in the country’s institutions, in our ourselves and in our countrymen.
Once again, we appeal to all Ghanaians to remember that the December 7 polls are an occasion to entrust power into the hands of a political party but not a platform for war. Therefore, Ghanaians must not prepare for the polls with a do-or-die attitude or victory at all costs. We must remember that any election that is won through the manipulation of the electoral system is a recipe for violence and lawlessness and our dear country must frown on that.
The Daily Graphic concedes that majority of our people are passionate about the polls and their outcome, but we must psyche our supporters to accept the outcome of the polls — be graceful in victory and demonstrate sportsmanship in defeat. Those who might feel cheated have the right to seek redress in the courts and so be it.
Ghanaians have developed a strong bond or comradeship since independence because despite our different backgrounds, we recognise the value in living together and the consequence is a strong and united country.
In times of crisis, Ghanaians have never forgotten their Maker. Christians and Muslims have gone to their churches and mosques to seek divine intervention, while other believers seek protection in other faiths. The Christian Council, the Catholic Bishops Conference, Muslim leaders and others must intervene to guarantee peaceful polls in December.
Let all the feuding factions in the Northern Region bury the hatchet, look into the future with hope in the belief that sooner than later the election fever would be over and families and communities that were divided along partisan lines would recognise that it was much ado about nothing.
That is why there is no need even during the run-up to the competitive polls to shout fire in a crowded theatre. The chances of survival are very slim.
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