Assembly elections: Economy to blame for low turnout – Nana Konadu

The current economic hardship Ghanaians are facing is partly to blame for the low turnout witnessed at this year’s district assembly and unit committee elections.

That is according to the former First Lady and Founder of the National Democratic Party, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings.

Ghana’s local elections have over the years witnessed low turnout due to a myriad of factors, with some local governance experts calling for a review of the approach to the polls.

[contextly_sidebar id=”4Yhq7dMsrWC3DVMJuchfAj8JJRJFtGyr”]Some have also suggested the local level elections should be merged with the national general elections to whip up interest.

However, commenting on the reported low turnout during this year’s elections held on September 1, the founder of the National Democratic Party, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, said the apathy towards this year’s exercise could be blamed on the current economic challenges.

According to her, people will naturally show apathy towards voting when they are struggling to get by.

 “There are certain things that should be done by the National Commission for Civic Education NCCE; to increase public participation but we saw what was happening in that regard. However, with the election itself, I will say that when there is economic difficulty and you are looking for the next piece of bread on your table, the most important is not where you are going to put your thumb. The most important thing is the food on your children or your family’s table so that has been a hindrance and that will be a factor. Therefore, if the turnout was low, I think it is due to the economy” she posited.

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By: Ebenezer Afanyi Dadzie/citifmonline.com/Ghana