OccupyGhana, a prominent civil society organization in Ghana, has written a letter to key government officials and parliamentary leaders, urging them to co-sponsor and introduce a bill in Parliament to extend existing laws on election offenses to encompass party primaries and intra-party elections.
The organization believes that such a move is essential to address the growing concerns of vote-buying, intimidation, violence, and other malpractices associated with these internal party processes.
In the letter addressed to the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, Hon Majority Leader Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, and Hon Minority Leader Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, OccupyGhana expressed deep concern about the alarming increase in election-related misconduct, particularly in party primaries for the selection of presidential and parliamentary candidates, as well as intra-party elections for choosing party officials.
OccupyGhana highlighted that existing laws, such as the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), and the Representation of the People Act, 1992 (PNDCL 284), contain provisions that criminalize various election offenses, including bribery, intimidation, personation, and spreading false information. Convicted individuals can face fines, imprisonment, and even disqualification from voting. However, these laws specifically pertain to “public elections” and may not cover internal party processes.
The civil society organization noted that these laws are rarely enforced, and prosecutions are scarce, possibly due to the narrow scope of “public elections.” OccupyGhana called for an amendment to these laws, extending their application to party primaries and intra-party elections, and removing the requirement for the Attorney-General’s fiat to initiate prosecutions.
This proposed legislative change, according to OccupyGhana, would send a strong message to Ghanaians that the government and major political parties are committed to eradicating election malpractices at all levels. It is believed that strict enforcement of these amended laws would contribute to combating corruption and promoting transparent and fair electoral processes.
The letter concluded with a pointed warning that the failure to take action on this matter could lead to suspicions that the government and major political parties either support or are complicit in perpetrating these wrongful conduct during party primaries and intra-party elections.
OccupyGhana also copied the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Alban Bagbin, and various other key officials and media houses to draw attention to this important issue.
The call by OccupyGhana highlights the need for reforms to ensure that Ghana’s political processes, both within parties and in public elections, maintain their integrity and adhere to democratic principles, ultimately contributing to the nation’s continued stability and progress.
