Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, a former Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), says Ghanaians living abroad must be allowed to partake in the nation’s Presidential Elections only.
He noted that, based on certain considerations, the most practical and cost-effective way was to allow Ghanaians living abroad to vote only in the presidential elections.
He recommended that Ghanaians resident abroad, who were of voting age be allowed to register and vote in person at the nation’s high commissions, embassies and consulates.
“I am mindful that this position implies that we cannot take the stance that every qualified Ghanaian everywhere should be registered to vote. But I think that such a stance would straight away present us with an impracticable situation,” Dr Afari-Gyan stated in his presentation at the ongoing 70th Annual New Year School and Conference at the University of Ghana.
The four-day programme on the theme: “Building Strong Institutions for Democratic Consolidation in Ghana,” is being organised by the School of Continuing and Distance Education of the College of Education, University of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Dr Afari-Gyan recounted that as Chairman of the EC at that time, he briefed Parliament on this subject as far back as November 2002.
He said the issues involved were legal, financial and practical; declaring that Parliament would surely deal with the legal issues and the government would bear the financial burden.
“So, let me pose some of the practical administrative issues in the form of two questions with brief comments: In which of our general elections will voters resident abroad be allowed to vote?” he asked.
“I dare say that we should rule out the district level election, in view of the huge numbers of electoral areas and candidates.”
He said beyond that, some countries allow their citizens living abroad to vote in their presidential elections; stating that “of the countries that allow their citizens abroad to vote in both presidential and parliamentary elections, most of them have proportional representation systems, so the voters vote for political parties and not for candidates of specific constituencies”.
Dr Afari-Gyan also posed the question on “How will voting take place: by proxy, by mail, or in person?”
With regards to proxy voting, Dr Afari-Gyan said “as at now, the relatively few Ghanaians abroad who are eligible to register vote by proxy”.
He said, however, there could be no doubt at all that it would be extremely difficult and cumbersome for the EC to process a huge number of applications to vote by proxy.
On “voting by mail”, Dr AfariGyan said “usually, voting by mail requires an elaborate system of tracking and is easily subject to abuse as one is never sure who really cast the ballot. It could also easily cause problems for the timely release of results.”
Speaking on the topic “Improving the Electoral Process for Democratic Consolidation”, Dr Afari-Gyan said every Ghanaian who was knowledgeable about the electoral process could contribute to its improvement.
He said improving the electoral process involves making small changes consistent with the existing laws and making reforms by amendments or new laws where appropriate.
Source: GNA
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To maintain the sanctity of Diaspora Voting the voting should be restricted to Ghana Missions abroad for Ghanaians with Ghana Passport. We should however not expect that all Ghanaians abroad would be interested to vote just at some Ghanaians home also choose not to vote at elections. It might become the easiest form of voting if it is well planned.
Very good idea which would favour NDC. Now all Ghanaians in Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Niger, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Morocco etc would be able to vote.
I think I wouldn't blame Dr Afari Djan a lot because he didn't control the resources of the country and without money nothing is possible, ndc weren't prepared to help him implement ROPAA because they knew it would affect them, I'm happy he is out today to speak the truth that it must be implemented and this shows how he is comfortable with this regime that he can bring out good ideas to help our electoral processes. During ndc time nobody heard from him,Charlotte Osei as naive in the electoral process wasn't allowed to consult Dr Afari Djan but he is the longest serving EC commissioner with ideas, he knows whatever he say in this government will be taking seriously into account, he knows NPP will listen because they are there for Ghana that's why he is talking and making suggestions! It's good for us to hear good things from him before his time us up! I like it ! It's difficult to bring out the best of someone during ndc time because they are not for that, ndc has their own agenda for power hence they haven't been able to tell Ghanaians what they need power for all is the government is this and that,Akufo Addo is this and that accusing and criticizing personalities and policies never talking anything good for Ghana! that is ndc for you! NPP in opposition laid down their policies and vision told Ghanaians why they needed their power, what they can do to transform the people and their country and gradually they are on course! ndc has nothing to say but thinking if 2020 taking Ghanaians as granted who have shirt memory! We live to see in 2020 if Ghanaians are f000**00ls!
Was ROPA not passed during your reign as the electoral commissioner? if yes why didn't you implement it? Just because you were constantly rigging elections for the NDC, you ignored it. I do not think you have the moral right to talk about implementing it now. Just keep quite and enjoy your stolen wealth.
Wherever there is a foreign mission MUST be given the right to vote. We've been left out for far too long upon all the contribution to the Ghanaian economy. Why?
Agya Afari, thanks for reminding us; we are already on our way to vote come 2020. Ask them how much we in abroad contribute to the economy and tell me who should have the right to vote?
If it is soo EASY, why did you not do it? Let us have our peace!