A Security Analyst, Colonel Festus Boahen Aboagye (Rtd), has urged the Electoral Commission to adopt modern technologies in the dissemination of results in order to prevent post-election violence.
This call comes in response to incidents allegedly involving supporters of the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, who have attempted to take control of key institutions such as the Ghana Gas Company and the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority.
As such acts escalate, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, the Leader of the NPP Caucus, has suggested that the President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, might be behind these actions.
Speaking to Starr Today with Tutuwaa Danso, he emphasized the importance of transparent, timely communication of election results to prevent misunderstandings and unrest.
“It is the failure of the electoral process that caused the mayhem, and it continues to cause mayhem. We suggest that we explore more modern and efficient ways of disseminating results after the collation at ballot centers, using multiple mechanisms.”
“Hard copies are one form, but political party agents are photocopying original sheets with their cameras—emailing them, or sending them by armored vehicles, not by taxis or unmarked vehicles. In a country where we pride ourselves as a beacon of democracy, it is unacceptable that after voting, an EC official has to rent a taxi or use an unmarked vehicle to transport electoral materials, and yet the EC says it is not responsible,” he added.
Meanwhile, he believes the electoral body cannot absolve itself from the violence during elections and has called for the resignation of the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensah.
Source: Ghana/Starr FM 103.5FM/Benjamin Sackey
