The 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana proposed a Majoritarian System of elections for Presidential and Parliamentary. In terms of Presidential election, a candidate must secure 50%+1 of all the valid votes to be declared a winner, with the whole country as a SINGLE constituency. But, Parliamentary Elections are based on a simple majority votes. The 50%+1 valid votes system for the last 32 years since its adoption has not produced the needed development especially in terms of regional balance that we all desired and anticipated. Fairly speaking, one or few regions and ethnic groups have been the determining factors in the Presidential elections, hence, some candidates turn to pay more attention to such regions and give priority to some ethnic groups in matters of Presidential elections and during the sharing of the national cake.
This ongoing presidential election system is contributing to unfairness and a lack of depth in political leadership, impacting the overall development of the nation. The current system, relying on a 50%+1 valid vote threshold, has enabled certain politicians to disproportionately prioritize specific regions over others. For instance, allowing the Ashanti region alone or the Volta region alone to determine who would the country’s president posed significant challenges. This approach has led some presidents, like President Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo Addo, to allocate less attention to the development of regions such as Volta, Oti, the northern regions among other regions. In the first term of President John Dramani Mahama, he concentrated almost 80% of the major development in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. Most Presidential aspirants concentrate all their efforts in the regions with large population of voters. This status quo is unsustainable.
As a Ghanaian, I strongly believe that the current electoral system has failed to deliver the needed dividends for the past 3 decades and we cannot continue walloping in development inequity. I believe that the adoption of an Electoral College System to replace the 50%+1 voting mechanism is the way to go. Under this new system, a presidential candidate must win in more than half of all the regions in the country to be declared winner. In cases where regional votes are even (that is, IF THERE IS A SPLIT), then the candidate who gets 50%+1 valid votes of all popular votes cast in the whole country would prevail, without any need for a presidential run-off. This new system would compel presidential candidates to prioritize the interests of all regions and ethnic groups, promoting fairness and equity in the development process. Furthermore, implementing these reforms would lead to cost savings by eliminating the need for a costly presidential run-off election. With the Electoral College System, run-off elections would no longer be necessary, reducing financial burdens associated with election processes.
This Electoral College system offers several compelling reasons that resonate with a wide range of stakeholders, including regional and ethnic equity, inclusive governance, reduced polarization, cost savings, enhance representation, stability, legitimacy, adaptability, and more.
Democratic Representation: The Electoral College System aligns with the principles of democratic representation by ensuring that the voice of every region is heard and valued in the electoral process. This strengthens the foundation of democracy by promoting fairness and inclusivity at all levels of governance. Candidates are encouraged to engage directly with local leaders and communities, leading to better representation at the national level. This ensures that policymakers have a nuanced understanding of regional dynamics and can make informed decisions that benefit the entire country, rather than favoring certain regions over others.
Empowerment of Local Communities: By focusing on regional victories, the system empowers local communities and leaders, giving them a greater say in national decision-making processes. This decentralization of power fosters grassroots participation and encourages civic engagement across the country.
Balanced Development: A key benefit of the Electoral College System is its potential to promote balanced development across regions. It will foster a deeper engagement with local issues and concerns, encouraging candidates to develop comprehensive policies that address the unique needs of different regions. This approach promotes inclusivity by ensuring that governance reflects the varied perspectives and challenges faced by communities across the country.
Cultural and Ethnic Representation: In a diverse country like Ghana, the Electoral College System ensures that cultural and ethnic diversity is reflected in governance. Candidates must engage with and understand the cultural nuances of different regions, promoting cultural sensitivity and representation in national leadership.
Transparency and Accountability: The new system encourages transparency and accountability as candidates are held accountable not just by a national majority but also by regional mandates. This fosters a culture of accountability where elected leaders are responsible for delivering results that benefit their respective regions.
Prevention of Regional Marginalization: By preventing the domination of one or a few regions in the electoral process, the Electoral College System mitigates the risk of regional marginalization as in the current electoral system. Every region’s interests are taken into account, reducing the likelihood of neglect or underdevelopment in any particular area. By incentivizing candidates to build support across multiple regions, the Electoral College System mitigates the risk of divisive politics that often arise when candidates focus solely on winning a national majority. This helps to bridge political divides and encourages collaboration and unity among citizens from different backgrounds and regions.
Cost Savings and Efficiency: Eliminating the need for run-off elections under the Electoral College System leads to significant cost savings. This not only reduces financial strain on the electoral process but also streamlines the voting process, making it more efficient and accessible to all citizens.
Stability and Legitimacy: An Electoral College System promotes political stability by fostering broad-based support across diverse regions. This enhances the legitimacy of elected leaders, as they are perceived to represent a wide cross-section of the population, thereby strengthening trust in the electoral process and the government as a whole.
Adaptability and Evolution: The flexibility of the Electoral College System allows it to adapt to changing demographics, regional dynamics, and evolving political landscapes. This ensures that the electoral framework remains relevant and responsive to the country’s evolving needs, maintaining its core principles of regional equity and inclusive governance over time.
Promotion of National Unity: Through the emphasis on winning support across diverse regions, the system promotes national unity and cohesion. Shifting the focus from a national majority to a regional majority ensures that no single region can dominate the electoral process. This promotes fairness by preventing regions with larger populations from overpowering smaller regions, thus creating a more balanced and equitable representation of the nation’s diverse interests. Also, Candidates are incentivized to build bridges across regional divides, fostering a sense of belonging and solidarity among citizens from all corners of the country.
Evidence-Based Policy Making: With a deeper understanding of regional dynamics and priorities, policymakers under the Electoral College System can make more informed and evidence-based decisions. This leads to policies that are tailored to the specific needs of different regions, maximizing their impact and effectiveness.
The call for electoral reforms in Ghana stems from a recognition of the inherent challenges and inequalities within the current system. It is a matter of urgency that I urge the new government through the Constitution Review Committee to prioritize considering these electoral reforms. A system that has not produced a balanced development across the country for over 30 years is not worth continuing.
ABU IBRAHIM AZEBRE
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