The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has observed with worry, the low enthusiasm shown towards district level elections held in the country since 1994.
According to the electoral management body, citizens’ interest and participation in politics and elections in Ghana have consistently been higher during national-level elections, an attitude the EC wants to be exhibited towards the assembly elections.
The Commission at a media briefing held on December 18, 2023 encouraged eligible voters to fully participate in the polls to improve turnout and to drive development at the grassroots level.
“Experience over the years shows that this election is not highly participated in. Let us make this election meaningful. We are all aware that developments start at the district level and therefore it is important that as citizens, we have a say and a stake in who brings development to our various districts,” Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Mensa, said.
Active participation
Other stakeholders have equally urged eligible voters to participate actively in the exercise.
The Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy, expressed worry over the regular poor turnout by voters.
She further maintained that prioritisation of the district level elections would ensure that the best people are elected to spearhead good governance at the local level.
“Members of Parliament live and work in Accra; the President’s Office is in Accra; but the assembly and unit committee members live with us in the community and help to address our daily development challenges,” she said.
The Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Dan Botwe, in an interview with TV3 added his voice to the calls.
He is, however, of the view that making the elections partisan would whip up public interest and cause a significant change in the patronage.
“We know the turnout for district level elections in the country in previous years has been extremely low, but we are targeting at least 50 per cent turnout this time around and we want all, irrespective of party affiliation, to go to the polls in their numbers on the day to cast their ballot,” he said.
Adequate preparations
The Electoral Commission says enough plans have been put in place to ensure that the December 19 polls are free, fair and seamless.
Jean Mensa noted that the election is crucial to achieving the developmental goals of the nation since most of the developmental projects begin at the local assembly level.
“We would like to entreat all Ghanaians and assure them that the Electoral Commission has put in place all arrangements and modalities have been put in place for a smooth incident-free election. We will like to entreat all Ghanaians to take their time to go to their polling stations to cast their votes.”
The Commission has trained and equipped 116,701 officials to manage and conduct the polls on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, ballot papers for all 38,315 polling stations have been printed and dispatched, with some 71,775 Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).
“We urge eligible voters that persons with disability, the aged and nursing mothers should be given some preferential treatment at the polling stations. We do not expect that this category of persons will join long queues at polling stations.”
“I will like to advise all voters to refrain from acts that will disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections. No ballot appears or goes to any electoral area with a stamp. The stamping of ballots is done at the polling stations and the ballot is not stamped before they are sent to the polling stations…and done on election day,” Jean Mensa stated.
Significance of district level elections
District-level elections are held in accordance with the Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462) to elect assembly members and unit committee members at designated electoral areas across Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
Section 5(3) of Act 462 states: “Elections to a district assembly shall be held once every four years, at least six months before or after a general election of Members of Parliament.”
Section 6(1) of Act 462 also provides that for a person to qualify to be elected as a member of a district assembly, the person must be a citizen of Ghana above 18 years, a registered voter, ordinarily resident in the district they are seeking election, and also be a taxpayer.
In the past years, the elections have been characterised by low patronage, with a national average turnout of 30%.