GHANA ELECTION 2008 © 2010 Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Ghana All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the permission of the publishers. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this book will be liable to criminal prosecution and claims for damages. contents page acronyms i acknowledgement ii foreword iii Chapter One: The Electoral System of Ghana 1 Chapter Two: Confidence Building Measures for the 2008 General Elections 9 Chapter Three: Preparations for Election 2008 23 Chapter Four: The Media and Election 2008 50 list of tables and figures page Table 1 Elections Observation Missions 13 for the 2008Elecctions Table 3.1 Vital Statistics on Registration for the Period 2004 - 2008 National Summary 26 Table 3.2 Vital Statistics on the 2008 Limited Voter Registration: 29 Age and Gender Distribution Table 3.3 Comparative Statistics on Voter Registration 31 Challenges between 1995 - 2008 Table 3.4 2008 Exhibition of Voters Register: 33 Age and Gender Distribution 35 Table 3.5 Presidential Candidates for 2008 Elections 35 Table 3.6 Running Mates for the 2008 Elections Table 3.7 Nomination of Parliamentary Candidates of Political Parties for the 2008 Elections 37 Table 3.8 Voter Turnout and Rejected Ballots for the 47 December 7, 2008 Elections Table 3.9 Voter Turnout and Rejected Ballots for 47 December 28, 2008 Presidential Run off acronyms COG Commonwealth Observer Group CDD-GH Ghana Center for Democratic Development CSO Civil society Organization CPP Convention People's Party DFP Democratic People's party DPP Democratic People's Party EC Electoral Commission EU European Union EU- EOM European Union- Election Observer Mission GCPP Great Consolidated People's Party IDEG Institute for Democracy and Economic Governance IEA Institute of Economic Affairs NDC National Democratic Congress NPP New Patriotic Party PNC People's National Convention RPD Republican Patriotic Democrats UNDP United Nations Development Program. V-SAT Very Small Aperture Terminal i acknowledgment ii foreword This is the fourth of a series of publications by the Electoral Commission, in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Ghana on elections conducted by the Commission. The function of elections as an arbiter in a democracy makes it imperative to pay particular attention to organisation of the elections as it is the foundation for the legitimacy government is given in any political system. A critical look at these four publications reveals that electoral reforms carried out over the years have contributed in the building of confidence and trust in the electoral system. Above all professionalism and impartiality associated with the conduct of elections has won the trust of not just the people of Ghana but also the international community. In spite of its reputation and credibility in the conduct of elections, the conduct of the elections in 2008 was against the backdrop of growing disenchantment with the capability of African countries to hold credible and peaceful elections and therefore pose two distinctive challenges. First, the elections were an. opportunity for Ghana to provide an example of successful and democratic elections after recent failed elections in some African countries. Secondly, the elections provided an opportunity for the country to consolidate its democracy, peace and political stability. Notwithstanding this, the Commission strives for excellence in the promotion of credible elections, transparency and integrity of the electoral system in order to strengthen the consolidation of democracy in Ghana. We wish to acknowledge the role of the Research Department of the Electoral Commission as well as the Director of Elections for making this publication a reality. Mrs Daniela Kuzu Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan Resident Director, Chairman Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Ghana Electoral Commission of Ghana iii Chapter One THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM OF GHANA introduction The fundamental principle underlying Ghana's Electoral System is for every adult citizen to participate in the election of her or his representative. Consequently, the Electoral Commission has a unique place in Ghanaian democracy as it enables the citizens to execute their rights. The Basic Characteristics Of Ghana's Electoral System Ghana's electoral system has the following basic characteristics: ·Universal adult suffrage for citizens; ·Official registration of voters; ·Non-compulsory registration or voting; ·Secret ballot; ·Use of Identity Card issued by the Electoral Commission to establish voter's identity and to prevent impersonation; ·Registration of political parties as corporate bodies; ·Political parties are not allowed to sponsor candidates for elections to District Assemblies and lower local government units; ·National and Local elections alternate at two year intervals ·Presidential election where the winner requires more than fifty percent (50%) of the valid votes cast; ·Parliamentary and local elections on the basis of the first-past-the post; ·A run-off election in case no winner emerges on the first ballot; ·No minimum voter turn-out required for presidential/parliamentary elections; ·Use of indelible ink (electoral stain) to prevent multiple voting ·A permanent Electoral Commission; Independence of the Commission In a bid to establish the independence and autonomy of the Commission, Article 46 of the 1992 Constitution requires that in performing its functions, the Electoral Commission “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority”. In addition, the Chairman has permanent tenure commensurate with the conditions of service as judges of the Appeal Court, whilst his two deputies enjoy those of High Court judges. The expenses of the Commission are charged directly on the Consolidated Fund of the Republic. 2 GhanaElection 2008 Functions of the Commission The Commission, in all its activities, is guided by its mission statement: “The Electoral Commission is a Constitutional body whose mandate is to deliver free and fair elections as a means of advancing the course of democracy and good governance in Ghana”. The main functions of the Commission are outlined in the Electoral Commission Act of 1993 (Act 451), and subsequently by an amendment of section 2 of the same Act in 2003, by substituting paragraph (d) to read: “undertake the preparation of voter identity cards”, and section 12 subsection (1) by the substitution of paragraph (c) with the following: “the issue of voter identity cards,” and then the repeal of the Identity Cards Decree, 1972 (N.R.C.D 129). In addition to the requirements of Article 45 of the Ghanaian Constitution, the Commission is assigned other statutory functions. The assignment of the above (statutory) functions can be found in the phraseology “perform such other functions as may be prescribed by law”. Below are the core functions of the Electoral Commission: ·The compilation of the voters register; ·The demarcation and periodic revision of electoral boundaries for national and local elections; ·The conduct and supervision of all public elections and referenda; ·Voter education; ·Setting the dates of public elections; ·Making regulations for the performance of its functions; ·Appointment of staff in consultation with the Public Service Commission; ·The registration of political parties and supervision of the election of their national and regional executive members; ·Conduct of election of the officers of certain statutory bodies, including; the trades Union Congress (TUC), the Veterans Association of Ghana (VAG), the Ghana Medical and Dental Association, the House of Chiefs, and the District Assemblies. The Electoral Commission The 1992 Constitution of Ghana provided for the creation of an Electoral Commission and spelt out the framework of the Electoral Commission. As required by Article 43(1) of the Constitution, the Electoral Commission has a 3 GhanaElection 2008 Chairman, two (2) Deputy Chairmen and four (4) other Members- all of whom were appointed by the President of the Republic on the advice of the Council of State, a body of eminent citizens established by the Constitution to counsel the President and the other state actors in the discharge of their functions. The Commissioners The current membership of the Commission is as follows: DR. KWADWO AFARI-GYAN, Chairman: A former university lecturer of political science, he received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Ghana, Legon, and his doctorate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He was a member of the Committee of Experts that drafted Proposals for the 4th Republic Constitution of Ghana in 1991 and later became the Deputy Chairman of the Interim National Electoral Commission (INEC), which conducted the 1992 Referendum on the draft Constitution and the subsequent Presidential and Parliamentary elections. He has been the Chairman of the Commission since 1992 and has acquired considerable international experience in electoral matters which paved the way for him to become the Executive Secretary of the African Association of Election Authorities (AAEA), a position he has held since1998. He has written four books and several articles on political, constitutional and electoral issues. MR. DAVID AZEY ADEENZE-KANGAH: Deputy Chairman in charge of Finance and Administration. He holds a B.A. degree and Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast. He has done post-graduate studies at the Universities of London and Leeds in the United Kingdom, and a Master of Arts degree in Conflict Resolution from Antioch University in the United States. An educationist, he served as a member of the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) and the Interim National Electoral Commission (INEC). He has been with the Commission since 1993. He is a consultant on management and a member of the US based Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). He was the Board Chairman of West Africa Network of Peace building (WANEP) for many years. MR. KWADWO SARFO-KANTANKA: Deputy Chairman in charge of Operations. A barrister at law, he received his LL.B degree from the University of Ghana, Legon.