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Press Release
NPP
November 26, 2015
NPP CONGRATULATES NDC ON SUCCESSFUL
PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES
Now that the dust has settled, the NPP congratulates the NDC
on their successful holding of parliamentary and
presidential primaries over the weekend (21st and 22nd
November 2015).
We note that the NDC has taken a cue from the NPP's great
expansion of our electoral college in 2010 which saw the
dramatic increase in numbers of delegates from about 5000 to
over 140, 000. Five years later, the NDC has taken the
expansion in numbers of voters to a new level with the
opening of eligibility to all card-bearing NDC members. This
has seen their numbers ballooning from about 4000 delegates
to over 1 million voters. This is a significant development
that further enhances grassroots participation in internal
party democracy.
We however also note some negative occurrences that marred
the otherwise successful primaries, which events should
serve as lessons for all political parties in the
organization of primaries.
These negatives include reported violence, including
aspirants suffering assault, reported kidnappings of rival
supporters, free for all fights, destruction of ballot
boxes, snatching of ballot boxes, ransacking and locking up
of electoral commission offices.
Incidents of intimidation reported also including reported
deployment of "land guards" and the military, to intimidate
voters:
Disputes over the parliamentary registers were also rampant
with reports of deletion of names, fraudulent manipulation
of constituency registers to favour particular candidates,
and outright destruction of registers:
Name calling and insults were also rampant, especially in
the run up, with aspirants accusing others of employing
voodoo and other underhand efforts.
There have also been reports of tribalism and ethnicity
being employed in campaigns, as well as reports of vote
buying.
These negative incidents should serve as warnings for
political parties in our organization of primaries.
They also signify the need for political parties to come
together to brainstorm on new measures and rules of
engagement that can limit these negative occurrences during
primaries or elections in general.
We also have been quite surprised at the defeat of some
rather loud contestants including Messrs Derek Adjei, Kpessa
White, Abraham Amaliba and Peter Otokunor. This shows that
loud soundings on radio do not necessarily indicate
popularity.
President Mahama's endorsement by 95% of the NDC voters may
be seen in NDC circles as overwhelming.
However some trend analysis indicates that President
Mahama's performance may actually be on the decline.
We note that as the incumbent, President Mahama enjoys all
the huge advantages of executive presidency.
He also had no contestant.
He nevertheless also engaged in a massive nationwide
campaign in the run out to the flagbearership primary.
His 95.1% endorsement compares not too favourably with Nana
Akufo Addo's 94.3%, considering that Nana Addo did not enjoy
any advantages of an incumbent presidency and faced contests
from three other party stalwarts.
In 2011, President John Evans Atta mills, against fierce
competition from Mrs Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, secured 96.7%
of valid votes cast. President Mahama in 2012, unopposed,
secured 99.5% of valid votes cast. In 2015, still unopposed,
President Mahama secures 95.1% of valid votes cast, a worse
result than President Mills, and a loss of more than 4% of
his (president Mahama's) own endorsement in 2012.
We have been told by at least one parliamentary contestant
that a lot of bribe giving, cajoling, begging and tears had
to be employed in order to reduce the numbers of no votes.
In the absence of no contestant, the 'no’ votes also imply
that nearly 5% of NDC supporters prefer anybody than
President Mahama.
This should be food for thought for all.
…Signed…
Nana Akomea
(Director of Communications)
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