Former Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, has called for severe punishment for those who commit serious election offences, particularly professional election administrators and electronic experts, who he believes intentionally undermine the electoral process. Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association’s annual conference in Kumasi, Dr. Afari Gyan emphasized that tampering with election results should be considered a grave offence, potentially even treasonable.
“Persons who commit serious election offences, particularly if they are professional election officials or electronic experts, must be severely punished for attempting to undermine the will of the people. Possibly a treasonable act,” Dr. Afari Gyan remarked.
He further stressed that these professionals, unlike the average voter, are fully aware of the implications of their actions. “I am singling out professional election administrators and electronic experts because they know what they are doing,” he said, adding that election officials are trained to act correctly, while electronic experts who tamper with figures do so with full knowledge of the consequences. “These people, I am suggesting, should be seriously punished.”
Dr. Afari Gyan also highlighted the need for severe penalties to act as a deterrent against future election malpractices. He reiterated that in a democratic election, the voter’s role is paramount, and any attempt to manipulate the electoral process jeopardizes the essence of democracy. Acts of this nature, particularly when orchestrated by those entrusted with safeguarding the election, should be treated as acts of “treason,” he added.
