3 parties cry foul as they claim elections may not be free and Fair

With 11 days for Ghanaians to decide who leads them in the next four years, the news media on Friday, 25^th November, 2016 were dominated by the following headlines:

The Daily Graphic with the headline “3 parties cry foul as they claim elections may not be free and fair”. According to the story, three of the political parties contesting this year’s general elections have expressed concern that the presidential and parliamentary elections will not be free and fair. According to the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), the People’s National Convention (PNC) and the National Democratic Party (NDP), “free and fair elections  do not  happen  on voting  days; they happen  only if a number  of things  are in place and are  guaranteed  for the benefit  of all  the players.’’

The Daily Guide also has the headline “EC rigging elections for NDC says Gang of 3”. According to the paper three of the seven presidential candidates contesting in the December 7 elections went to town yesterday, expressing fear about the possible rigging of the polls. The candidates are Dr. Edward Nasigri Mahama, the People’s National Convention (PNC); Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, Progressive People’s Party (PPP) and former first lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings who is leading the National Democratic Party (NDP). In a statement jointly issued in Accra, the three flag bearers raised various concerns about the ‘unfair treatment’ meted out to them by the Electoral Commission (EC), which is supposed to be the referee for the elections.

“Veep warns trouble makers” is a headline in the Ghanaian Times. The story states that Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur has warned political party activists who intend to foment trouble during next month’s general election to desist from such behavior. He said the security agencies were alert and will deal ruthlessly with such deviants, who also be made to face the full vigorous of the law.

The Daily Post also carries the headline “Aggressive campaign not hindering governance duties – NDC” The paper reports that the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) aggressive campaign strategy ahead of the December polls is not negatively affecting its governance responsibilities, the NDC deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho, has said. According to Mr. Anyidoho, party and government officials involved in the campaigning reserved at least two days a week for the administrative work.

The Chronicle with the caption “I‘ll stop tribal politics”. The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has promised to bring an end the politics of tribalism that has gained root in the Ghanaian society. According to him, his government would be one that will not discriminate against tribe, ethnic or religious grouping in the country.

We end today’s newspaper review with the headline in Today “I’ve confidence in EC - Mrs Nduom”. According to the paper Mrs. Yvonne Nduom, wife of the flag bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, says she has no doubt in the ability of the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission(EC), Mrs. Charlotte Osei, to run the December 7 polls with diligence. She said although the PPP had challenges with the election management body, the Supreme Court rose to the occasion and allowed sanity to prevail, following their disqualification from the presidential race by the Commission.

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