A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ghana, Dr Rosina K. Foli, has proposed an amendment to the constitutional provision guiding by-elections to reduce tension and violence associated with such elections.
Dr Foli who made the proposal in an interview with the Daily Graphic suggested introducing a nuanced framework that allows parties to replace MPs whose seats become vacant after spending less than two years during a parliamentary session without competitive elections.
“We need to reduce the tension surrounding by-elections. A nuanced approach based on how long the legislator has spent in Parliament during a particular session is proposed. This can significantly reduce the tension associated with by-elections which result in violence,” the Political Science lecturer said.
Her call comes following the perceived tensions the forthcoming Akwatia parliamentary by-election had created.
Reducing tension, violence
Dr Foli said the current system created a competitive urge in by-elections, where the outcome becomes a way of proving a point to the opponent, even when the win or loss does not significantly change the power dynamics on the floor of Parliament.
She noted that this could lead to violence and tension, which could be reduced by allowing parties to select replacements for Members of Parliament (MPs) who have spent less than two years in Parliament during a particular session.
By adopting this proposal, she said the country could reduce the tension and violence associated with by-elections and promote a more peaceful and inclusive electoral process.
Nuanced approach
Dr Foli said in situation in which the deceased MP has spent less than two years the parties could develop internal mechanisms to select a replacement, with transparent and inclusive processes, and reduced or eliminated filing fees.
In other circumstances, where the deceased MP has been in Parliament for more than two years, a competitive electoral process could be held, with proactive civic education and engagement with constituents to promote a violence-free election.
Civic education
Dr Foli emphasised the importance of civic education and engagement in promoting a violence-free election.
She suggested involving multiple civil society bodies, traditional authorities, and elderly statesmen in the process of educating citizens on the need for a violence-free election.
The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should also run an active campaign against negative information, fake news, and misinformation.
Source: GraphicOnline
