The defeated contestant, Desmond Decker, said expanding the college would stop the influence of money in the elections, since according to him, the number of delegates are only few.

This was in response to the allegations of vote-buying, by him and other defeated contestants in the elections, which produced business mogul and President of Groupe Ideal, Dr. Nii Kotei Dzani as the winner.

“That is why we are calling for the expansion of the Electoral College. If the Electoral College is expanded, some of these things can’t happen. Let’s say if you are given 33 people, it is easy for you to give 33 people GHc 1000 or GHc 2000,” Mr. Decker explained on Eyewitness News.

“…But it if you have an electoral college of 2,000 or 3,000 people, you can’t be giving GHc 5,000 to all of them, and that will be curtailed. So what we are asking for is the expansion of the electoral  college, and they [the EC] should expand the electoral college and make sure that we open it up for the people to vote for the person they want to represent them at the Council of State.”

Delegates were taking pictures of ballots

Mr. Decker also alleged that there were some irregularities during the voting process, that suggested vote-buying as some delegates were taking pictures as proof of their ballot to favour of a particular candidate.

“I must say that I am really disappointed in the outcome of the results today. I must put it on record that the Electoral Commission’s (EC) Communications Director, Mr. Dzakpasu prevented some delegates from taking pictures while they were voting.”

Although Mr. Decker did not have any concrete evidence to back his claims, he insisted that “it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.”

“Clearly, the delegates knew the people they were going to vote for. Clearly, the delegates have received some money though we don’t know the amount and clearly, the delegates showed that they didn’t vote in the interest of the people the Greater Accra Region.”

No pictures in booths

The EC’s Director of Communications however denied making any intervention as indicated by Mr. Decker, insisting “nothing like that” happened during the elections.

Also speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Dzakpasu recounted that “there was only one gentleman who was going to vote and we saw that he was holding a phone and the delegates drew his attention. It came to our notice and we made sure that he didn’t go into the booth with the phone. Beyond that, I didn’t see anything.”

Mr. Dzakpasu stated that, there was no complaint to him, or the returning officer or any of the polling assistants.

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By: Delali Adogla-Bessa/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Expand electoral college for council of state election – Defeated aspirant appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

This revelation was made by the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO after educating some Ghanaians on voting.

In a statement, the two civil society organizations observed that some Ghanaians do not even understand what voting buying means.

[contextly_sidebar id=”RONUzOHh9HHSf6vEwEQvxenUQSN910aP”]“Most electorates do not understand the concept of vote buying and are not aware that ‘vote buying or selling’ constitutes election fraud and it is punishable by law. The few electorates who understood the concept of vote buying did not know that vote buying is a corrupt practice and that it is punishable by law.”

They also some Ghanaians also believe that voting buying is a normal practice.

“Some electorates were willing to take money or other gifts from politicians but said they would never allow that to influence their votes. Some electorates believe vote buying is a norm and view it as an open competitive market where the highest bidder (a politician who offers highest gift) always wins.”

Analysts of the political terrain have criticized the main political parties in the country, namely, the governing National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Patriotic Party of engaging in vote buying, few days to the December 7 elections.

Though the parties have been cautioned, the practice still persists.

The statement from CODEO and CDD however implored politicians to desist from using “financial and other incentives to induce votes.”

“Vote buying is illegal in Ghana and there are several laws (including electoral laws) that directly and indirectly address vote buying. These laws collectively make it illegal to attempt to buy or induce votes. The Political Parties Law 2000, ACT 574, and The Representation of the People’s Law, 1992, PNDC Law 284 also make engaging in, and buying and selling of votes in any way punishable by law. Indeed, The Electoral Commission’s voter education brochure “What You Should Know” states clearly vote buying or selling as an electoral offence.”

Click here for the CODEO, CDD statement

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Ghanaians don’t know vote buying is punishable – CDD appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The highest decision making body of the Roman Catholic Church considers vote buying as an insult to the integrity of the Ghanaian electorate.

The two main political parties, the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) have been accused by civil society groups of votes buying.

[contextly_sidebar id=”b6V6zTtDVn9ADurxTczo0FIEMTy4FUcd”]The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference has therefore cautioned desperate power seeking politicians against using money and items to coerce discerning electorate on December 7.

“Such practice is an insult to the intelligence and dignity of the unsuspecting voters. We call for a stop to such acts of vote buying and also entreat the electorate to desist from yielding to such needless enticements.”

This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the Catholic Bishops Conference one week Plenary Assembly held in Tamale under the theme: “Reconciliation with God, humanity and nature in the year of mercy.”

The communiqué espoused that, “Participation in the political life in the light of fundamental moral principles is an essential duty of every Christian and of all people of good will.”

“We therefore encourage all registered voters to be vigilant as they exercise their franchise. To decide not to vote is to neglect your duty and run the risk of leaving others to decide your future for you”, the communiqué emphasized.

The communiqué also advised politicians to make realistic promises in their manifestos, and further urged political leaders to be decorous in the mass media and on their campaign platforms.

“Politicians should conduct themselves honourably and respect their opponents both in their utterances and actions. Politicians should realize that their political opponents are not their enemies; but neighbours who share different views”, the communiqué underscored.

Electoral Commission

The communiqué commended the Electoral Commission for the pragmatic measures put in place to ensure peaceful, free, fair and transparent and credible elections.

It however warned the EC to avoid complacency. “The integrity and success of the forthcoming elections depend primarily on the Electoral Commission and we call on Ghanaians to repose trust and confidence in the work of the Electoral Commission throughout the period of elections.”

The communiqué reminded parents and guardians of their civic responsibility to discourage minors from voting just as it kicked against aliens’ participation in national elections.

“In the same vein, we appeal to non-Ghanaians who registered for one reason or the other to refrain from voting.”

Media circumspection

The communiqué implored the mass media to be guided by professional ethics especially on election coverage.

“We recommend that news about the elections should not be based on hearsay or prejudice. Information must be verified and the truth professionally ascertained. News stories should not be targeted at causing disgrace or embarrassment to personalities especially where it is clear that such reportage may trigger disaffection or incite violence”, it advocated.

Chiefs must be neutral

The communiqué condemned chiefs’ open endorsement of Presidential and Parliamentary hopefuls and challenged them to be neutral.

“We entreat our kings and chiefs to protect the integrity of their stools and skins by refraining from meddling in partisan politics to the displeasure of their subjects as if to say that the party they associate with or endorse is representative of their subjects’ choice as well.”

“Politicians and traditional leaders must work to foster peace and seek the integral development of Ghanaians rather than to divide them.”

Election prophesies must stop[contextly_sidebar id=”lTpioxk5UjY61Q3Gj1084wS3TsGrUHNl”]

It strongly scolded religious leaders who have openly predicted the outcome of the December 7 polls in favour of their preferred candidates.

“Religious leaders must be circumspect in their pronouncements and predictions on the outcome of the elections”, the communiqué opined.

The Catholic Bishops Conference overwhelmingly elected the Archbishop of the Tamale Metropolitan Diocese, Most Reverend Philip Naameh as its new leader.

He succeeded the Bishop of Mampong Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference is a religious organisation having its legal foundation in the Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church respected by all Catholic Churches of the Roman Rite worldwide.

The Bishops’ Conference, according to the Canon Law of the Catholic Church (Canon 447-459), is the central Body of the Church in Ghana. Its purpose is to deliberate on matters of concern to the Church in Ghana; and to encourage activities in accordance with the needs of the times.

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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Catholic Bishops Conference condemns vote buying appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

According to the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) which made the claim, Dr. Bawumia’s borehole he constructed for the Amedzofe College of Education (AMECO) was a “last minute” move “aimed at securing votes.”

Dr. Bawumia in June 2016, cut the sod for the construction of a mechanized borehole for AMECO in the Ho-West District of the Volta Region.

[contextly_sidebar id=”idbYs5gseWo0wQHWJesDjgdMWYbklYCS”]The NPP running mate is said to have initiated the project in fulfillment of a promise he made to the school in a bid to address the perennial water problem confronting the institution.

But GII in a report released on Friday dubbed: “Reducing abuse of incumbency and electoral corruption in Ghana’s election 2016” said the move clearly was to secure votes.

“The Coalition also observed an incident during this monitoring period, where the Vice Presidential Candidate of the NPP, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia commissioned the construction of a mechanized borehole for the Amedzofe College of Education (AMECO) in the Ho-West District of the Volta Region. This incident can be described as an act of “providing last minute infrastructure, construction, etc. and the provision of other services to communities aimed at securing votes,” the report added.

Mahama’s sharing of outboard motors abuse of incumbency

GII in the report also accused President John Mahama of abusing incumbency and indulging in electoral corruption, for distributing outboard motors to Fishermen during his campaign tour of the Western Region in August.

“On August 16, 2016, during President John Mahama’s publicly announced four-day campaign tour of the Western Region, outboard motors and pans were distributed to fishermen in Sekondi.   On 17th August, 2016, the Spokesperson of the NDC Campaign, Mrs. Joyce Bawa Mogtari indicated…that the distribution of outboard motors were part of an on-going government intervention. She stated that the items were purchased with state funds. The Coalition officially considers this particular incident as unfortunate and a demonstration of the incumbent government engaging in acts that constitute abuse of incumbency.”

Outboard motor distribution not abuse of incumbency

But Mahama’s adviser on corruption, Daniel Batidam, rejected GII’s claims.

Speaking on Eyewitness News, Mr. Batidam, who claimed he was not privy to the President’s move, said “the outboard motors that were distributed were actually included in government’s budget for the year.”

Click here for GII’s full report on vote buying

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post GII accuses Bawumia of vote buying appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

President Mahama, while campaigning in the Greater Accra Region, was captured on a video which had gone viral on social media, in which he’s seen distributing some items believed to be money.

He has since been accused of taking the practice of vote-buying to absurd levels, ahead of the December 7 polls.

But speaking on Eyewitness News, Kofi Adams said the President did not commit such an act as being speculated.

He explained that “there were multitudes around the vehicle but he [President Mahama] pointed to a particular person away and handed what I saw to be party paraphernalia to the person.”

Kofi Adams also argued that, assuming it was even money the president was distributing, he sees nothing wrong with it.

“Assuming without admitting that it was even money that you decide to give to somebody, can that be described as sharing?”

Ignore Mahama’s vote buying propaganda

The NPP has urged Ghanaians not to heed to alleged vote buying tactics employed by the NDC ahead of the December polls.

They made the call after the President visited the Western Region few months ago, where he distributed outboard motors and other items to fisher folks in the region.

“The NDC government took over in 2009 and ordered all projects to stop and so the cold stores construction which was on going, and the Nyanyaano one about almost completed, was stopped till 2015 (6 years) and just last week that of Shama and Half Assini after 7 years were commissioned,” the NPP in the Western Region said.

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By: Godwin A. Allotey/citifmonline.com/Ghana
Follow @AlloteyGodwin

The post Mahama shared NDC paraphernalia not money – Kofi Adams appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.