2024, like every other election year will, not be short of political activity.
January begins on a hot note with the NPP seeking to complete the election of its parliamentary aspirants across the country in constituencies where it has seats on January 27th.
The Election in Sunyani East and Fomena are still on hold. Already, public discussion regarding the decision of 18 sitting NPP MPs to voluntarily leave Parliament is yet to settle.
John Mahama
In February, the flagbearer of the NDC John Dramani Mahama is expected to name his running mate for the upcoming election. John Mahama has been inundated with requests from the chiefs and other stakeholders.
In response to these concerns, John Mahama said “It appears every region I go everyone has a vice presidential candidate for me. I said in Bono Region that the NDC constitution has stipulated how a running mate should be selected, I cannot take that decision alone.I have to do that with the Functional Executive Committee and the Council of Elders and then go through the list of people who are qualified to be running mate then we select one. We are going to do that God willing, February”. The question that lingers is whether it Will be a matter of continuity or change.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia
In Similar vein, The NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia has been given an extension of time by the NPP National Council in selecting a running mate, but sources say he will name his running mate by the end of the first quarter.
In making that choice, Director of Research at the Presidency, Dr Isaac Owusu Mensah advises that “And I have never changed my position on this. we need to look at our options available. Ashanti Region is our base, should we strengthen our base in Ashanti Region by choosing a running mate from Ashanti Region? That is a very important fundamental question.
Should we say that we have Ashanti Region as our base, therefore we go to another region and put someone there who will also pull votes from that region to consolidate that of Ashanti? That option is also available. It’s also possible that we get somebody from a place like Greater Accra because Greater Accra in the past has been reserved for a position like chairman of the party, speaker. Do we now become bold enough to get somebody from Greater Accra who is strong enough who will also pull some votes?
This are all forms of modelling and permutations the veep will certainly have to take into consideration. But the fundamental point is that whoever he is going to choose must be somebody who will bring a block vote to support the ticket at the end of the day.
The Electoral Commission
The Electoral Commission will roll out its calendar later in the year. As the arbiter of the presidential and parliamentary elections, a lot will depend on the EC’s calendar and its timeline of organizing important exercises central to the conduct of the crucial election.
The EC’s calendar will detail the time period for nomination, filing and authentication of parliamentary and presidential aspirants. There shall be voter regisration and exhibition exercises as well.
Ghana Card
The question about the proposal for the Ghana Card to be sole document for registration still lingers following the inconclusive outcome of the matter, the last time, the EC attempted to have it laid as part of a constitutional instrument.
IPAC
With the NDC returning to IPAC, a lot is to be expected on that front as well. The Inter-Party Advisory Committee has evolved over the years as the forum for political parties to discuss issues pertinent to the conduct of elections in the country.
The NDC however boycotted the platform citing attempts by the EC to impose decisions on parties instead of taking decisions based on consensus. The NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah before the NDC returned to IPAC upon the intervention of the National Peace Council indicated, “ We must work to make sure that IPAC returns to its consensus building ways. The National Peace Council must ensure that the issues that were blocking our return will be dealt with before the next IPAC meeting.”
It is an election year, be prepared for the jabs and jibes on the campaign platforms, the leaked tapes and machinations, the sloganeering and the campaign songs.