Monetisation and vote buying are gradually gaining ground in Ghana’s political space.
Following the just-ended by-election, which saw Hon. Baba Jamal win the Ayawaso East Constituency seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), concerns have resurfaced about the growing influence of money in elections.
Reacting to the development, political analyst Dr. Alex Nti stated that vote buying in politics can be criminalised.
Speaking on Plan B FM’s EBANOSEN, hosted by Ohene Kinnah, Dr. Nti explained that what is happening in today’s political landscape largely depends on the citizenry, particularly delegates of the two major political parties.
According to him, politicians often defend their actions by hiring competent lawyers to provide legal backing and help them avoid sanctions in court.
“Over time, monetisation policies in elections can be amended — that is, their regulations and rules can be reviewed depending on the year,” he noted.
Dr. Nti further stressed that the value of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar can influence the amount of money injected into elections, depending on the strength of the local currency in the international market.
“Going forward, let’s look at the Nigerian approach,” Dr. Nti advised, explaining that every election has its own dynamics, including the various methods used to influence voters.
He noted that in delegate elections, individuals are often transported to a central polling station to vote, whereas in national elections, citizens move from their homes to polling stations closer to their residences.
Dr. Nti advised that the country should assemble legal experts for a roundtable discussion to develop a holistic strategy to combat monetisation and vote buying in Ghana’s electoral process.
By: Nana Asabea | Planbfmonline.com
Discussion about this post