The Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL) has expressed concern over the security of the upcoming 2024 elections. The GFL has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to adopt both covert and overt surveillance systems throughout the electoral process.
Covert and Overt Surveillance Systems Explained
Covert surveillance systems are carried out without the knowledge of the electorates, political parties, and other interested parties, while overt surveillance systems use devices that are visible and obvious to all. Both systems have their major advantages, according to the GFL.
Mr Abraham Koomson, GFL Secretary General, told the Ghana News Agency that covert and overt surveillance systems were necessary to maintain international best standards and ensure the sanctity of the elections.
He explained that overt security features, such as the use of indelible ink on the fourth finger after casting the ballot, were evidence to the voter, the contesting candidate, and other stakeholders. This sense of assurance made it difficult for the voter to attempt to vote again, as the indelible ink served as a form of physical authentication.
Ghana’s Electoral System under Scrutiny
Since the 2020 elections, various organizations and the public have scrutinized Ghana’s electoral system, which was marred by violence and allegations of fraud. The main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), rejected the results and challenged them in court. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition and upheld the victory of the incumbent president, Nana Akufo-Addo, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr. Koomson urged the stakeholders in Ghana’s electoral system to steer the country out of the potential political turmoil before, during, and after the polls.
Calls for Dialogue and Peace
Mr Koomson also called for dialogue and peace among the EC, the National Peace Council, the traditional leaders, and the political parties. He said the EC needed help and should exhibit neutrality both in public and in private. He advised the senior electoral officials and commissioners to reduce the incidence of conflict, antagonistic posture, and pronouncements, and stop media wars with political parties.
Mr Koomson also called on the NPP and the NDC leadership to demonstrate political maturity and create an enabling political environment for people to express their views devoid of personality attacks, arrests, and security brutalities.
He further called on the government to protect the rights of all citizens before, during, and after the polls. He also stressed the need to strengthen state institutions to perform their duties without interference and political manipulation.
Source: Modern Ghana
