The general public is hereby notified that Sunday, 25th December, 2022 marks Christmas Day which is a Statutory Public Holiday.
However, in view of the fact that 25th December, 2022 falls on a Sunday, His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Ghana, has by Executive Instrument (E.I), in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, (Act 601) declared Tuesday, 27th December, 2022 as an additional Public Holiday and should be observed as such throughout the country.
AN ACT to amend the Public Holidays Act, 2001 (Act 601) to provide for the T” day of January, the 4th day of August and the 21st day of September as statutory public holidays and for related matters.
DATE OF ASSENT:11th April, 2019.
PASSED by Parliament and assented to by the President:
Short Title to Act 601 amended
The Pubic Holidays Act, 2001 (Act 601) referred to in this Act as the “principal enactment” is amended by the substitution for the Short Title, of “Public Holidays and Commemorative Days Act, 2001 (Act 601)”.
Section 1 of Act 601 amended
The principal enactment is amended in section 1 by the insertion before the word “Schedule”, of “First”.
Section 4A inserted
The principal enactment is amended by the insertion after section 4, of .
“Commemorative days
4A. A day specified in the Second Schedule shall be celebrated as a commemorative day.”.
Section 7 of Act 601 amended
The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for section of
Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, “commemorative day” means a day other than a
. statutory public holiday which is set aside in remembrance of an important person or an important event in the past; and
“shop” includes a store or any premises for the sale of goods.” .
Schedule to Act 601 amended
The principal enactment is amended by the substitution for the Schedule of,
FIRST SCHEDULE
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
(section 1)
New Year’s Day (1st January)
Constitution Day (7th January)
Independence Day (6th March)
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Eid-al-Fitr (Ramadan)
Workers’ Day (Ist May)
Eid-ul-Adha Festival (Hajj)
Founders’ Day (4th August)
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day (21st September)
Farmers Day (Ist Friday in December)
Christmas Day (25th December)
Boxing Day (26th December)
SECOND SCHEDULE
COMMEMORATIVE DAYS
(section 4A)
African Union Day (25th May)
Republic Day (lst July)
Date of Gazette notification: 17th April 2019
public holidays (amendment) act, 2019 act 986 – GHANA LAW
Ghana’s 2020 Parliamentary elections recorded more than 79% voter turnout. The high voter turnout comprised of valid and invalid ballot papers given and cast into ballot boxes by voters. Rejected ballots reveal that the intents of voters was not clear to count votes for a preferred candidate.
All 275 parliamentary rejected ballots recorded 175,972 and represented 1.37% of total votes cast of 12,834,662; clear choices and intent of voters. This seemed to be minimal and insignificant especially when total valid votes recorded 12,658,890 and 98.63% as voters who determined the direct election of the 275 parliamentary candidates. This is a very strong indication of correct voting procedures administered and followed by polling officials and voters respectively in the election of parliamentary candidates through the election formula of FIRST PAST THE POST.
The pattern of rejected ballots shows an increased trend especially with the increase of voters in the election years. Comparatively with 2016 parliamentary elections, it recorded an increase of 0.35% making it a matter of concern to all stakeholders. Read the details.
Ghana’s 2020 Parliamentary elections recorded more than 79% voter turnout. The high voter turnout comprised of valid and invalid ballot papers given and cast into ballot boxes by voters. Rejected ballots reveal that the intents of voters was not clear to count votes for a preferred candidate.
All 275 parliamentary rejected ballots recorded 175,972 and represented 1.37% of total votes cast of 12,834,662; clear choices and intent of voters. The average percentage of 1.37% rejected ballots recorded the five (5) regions of Ashanti, Greater Accra, Ahafo, Volta, and Eastern with less rejected ballots percentages unlike the eleven (11) regions of Central, Western, Bono, Western North, Bono East, Oti, Northern, Upper West, Upper East, North East and Savanna.
On the face value, this seemed to be minimal and insignificant especially when 275 constituencies valid votes recorded 12,658,890 and 98.63% as voters who determined the direct election of the 275 parliamentary candidates. But limited by the universal adult suffrage of one man one vote principle as an adult voter. Since every vote counts, rejected ballots means significant loss to both affected Voters and Candidates in Public Elections especially where elected Candidates could have changed hands.
On the other hand, 98.63% total votes cast achieved is a very strong indication of correct voting procedures administered and followed by Polling Officials and majority of voters respectively in the election of parliamentary candidates through the election formula of FIRST PAST THE POST.
The pattern of rejected ballots shows an increased trend especially with the increase of voters in the election years. Comparatively with 2016 parliamentary elections, it recorded an increase of 0.35% making it a matter of concern to all stakeholders. Read the details.
Ghana’s 2020 Parliamentary Elections took place in all the 275 constituencies alongside the Presidential Elections on 7th December, 2020. Voter participation and voter turnouts in the 275 constituencies defined the extent of openness and flexibility of the election process promoted by the Election Management Body and Stakeholders in the electoral system. Read the details.
ANALYSIS OF PARLIAMENTARY VOTER TURNOUTS BY REGIONS
Voter turnouts measures the percentage of voters that have actually taken part in an election. This refers to registered voters whose names and biometric data are in the printed voters register and biometric verification devices in the case of Ghana’s electoral system.
Ghana’s 2020 Parliamentary Elections took place in all the 275 constituencies alongside the Presidential Elections on 7th December, 2020. The elections in the 275 constituencies was keenly contested by 757 males and 123 females as Party Candidates and Independent Candidates.
For the study and analysis of the parliamentary voter turnouts, respective constituency voter turnouts was used to determine regional voter turnouts and national voter turnout. A purview of the voter participation in the sixteen (16) regions and national is as follows:
TABLE OF 2020 PARLIAMENTARY AVERAGE VOTER TURNOUTS BY REGION
REGION
REGISTERED VOTERS
TOTAL VOTES CAST
VOTER TURNOUT
REMARK
WESTERN
1,185,794
884,164
74.56%
High
CENTRAL
1,560,121
1,200,672
76.96%
High
GREATER ACCRA
3,529,158
2,623,027
74.32%
High
VOLTA
924,396
729,316
78.90%
High
EASTERN
1,642,064
1,262,928
76.91%
High
ASHANTI
2,230,526
1,850,546
82.96%
Very High
WESTERN NORTH
468,683
387,973
82.78%
Very High
AHAFO
315,363
270,238
85.69%
Very High
BONO
653,637
514,730
78.75%
High
BONO EAST
594,617
485,404
81.63%
Very High
OTI
341,050
286,346
83.96%
Very High
SAVANNA
298,420
239,221
80.17%
Very High
NORTHERN
1,038,366
922,315
88.82%
Very High
NORTH EAST
288,081
250,174
86.84%
Very High
UPPER EAST
659,947
540,902
81.96%
Very High
UPPER WEST
469,551
386,706
82.36%
Very High
TOTAL
16,199,756
12,834,662
79.23%
High
The Northern and Greater Accra regions recorded the highest and lowest average voter turnouts of 88.62% and 74.32% respectively. The ten (10) regions of Ashanti, Western North, Ahafo, Bono East, Oti, Savanna, Northern, North East, Upper East and Upper West recorded average voter turnouts in the 80% range whereas the six (6) regions of Western, Central, Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern and Bono recorded average voter turnouts in the 70% range. This ratio of 10:6 is a reflection of regional turnouts in the 2020 Parliamentary elections. Comparatively the ten (10) regions of Ashanti, Western North, Ahafo, Bono East, Oti, Savanna, Northern, North East, Upper East and Upper West regions, rated very high, recorded average voter turnouts more than the average national turnout of 79.23%. This seems to have a chronological and sequential order in the middle belt, northern and upper regions of the country. However the six (6) regions of Western, Central, Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern and Bono regions, rated high, recorded average voter turnouts below the average national turnout of 79.23%. This follows also a chronological and sequential order in the coastal belt and some middle belt of the country. Clearly the middle, northern and upper regions recorded higher voter turnouts than the coastal belts. Besides the further away from the national capital Accra, the higher voter turnout in those ten (10) regions unlike the six (6) regions generally with the exception of the newly created Bono region.
These two regional categories have been rated very high and high respectively to reflect the high national average voter turnout of 79.23%; almost attaining 80% average voter turnout. This is an affirmation of the recorded 16,199,396 total Registered Voters where 12,834,662 cast their votes on election day in the 275 constituencies.
A careful study of the constituency voter turnouts showed that only the Ayawaso East constituency in the Greater Accra region recorded voter turnout in the 80% – 89% range where as the other 33 constituencies recorded voter turnouts in the 70% – 79% range. With 47 constituencies in the Ashanti region, only the seven (7) constituencies of Akrofuom, Adansi Asokwa, Obuasi West, Odotobri, Manso Nkwanta, Manso Edubia and Subin recorded voter turnouts in the 70% – 79% range where as forty (40) constituencies with voter turnouts were within the 80% – 89% range.
Though none of the regional turnouts recorded 90% – 99% range, a causal look at the ten (10) constituencies with voter turnouts in the 90% – 99% range in the three regions of Ahafo, Northern and North East are as follows. Political decisions were in favour of the National Democratic Congress (N.D.C) in the five (5) constituencies of Asutifi South, Kpandai, Wulensi, Saboba and Sagnarigu where as political decisions were in favour of the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P) in the five (5) constituencies of Zabzugu, Gushegu, Karaga, Yagaba Kubuori and Chereponi with voter turnouts. The two wining political parties shared apiece five (5) constituencies each in the ten (10) constituencies with the highest voter turnouts in the 2020 Parliamentary Elections.
A causal look at the four (4) constituencies with voter turnouts in the 60% – 69% range were recorded in four (4) regions of Western, Central, Eastern and Savanna. In the Western region, political decisions were in favour of the New Patriotic Party (N.P.P) in the Ahanta West constituency where as political decisions were in favour of the National Democratic Congress (N.D.C) in the Gomoa East, Lower Manya Krobo and Sawla/Tuna/Kalba constituencies of the Central, Eastern and Savanna regions.
COMPARISON OF VOTER TURNOUTS IN GHANA’S SIX (6) NEW REGIONS
2018 REFERENDUM AND 2020 PARLIAMENTARY AVERAGE VOTER TURNOUTS IN GHANA
TABLE 2
REGION
2018 REFERENDUM TURNOUT
REMARK
2020 VOTER TURNOUT
REMARK
STATUS
WESTERN NORTH
77.69%
High
82.78%
Very High
↑ 5.09%
OTI
88.33%
Very High
83.96%
Very High
↓4.37%
AHAFO
90.41%
Excellent
85.69%
Very High
↓ 4.72%
BONO EAST
85.82%
Very High
81.63%
Very High
↓ 4.19%
SAVANNA
81.77%
Very High
80.17%
Very High
↓ 1.60%
NORTH EAST
80.95%
Very High
86.84%
Very High
↑ 5.89%
Table 2 shows the comparison between voter turnouts in the 2018 referendum elections and 2020 parliamentary voter turnouts in the Six (6) regions of Western North, Oti, Ahafo, Bono East, Savanna and North East. Analytically, the two (2) regions of Western North and North East recorded 5.09% and 5.89% increased voter turnouts in the 2020 regional parliamentary turnouts. However, the four (4) regions of Oti, Ahafo, Bono East and Savanna recorded decreased voter turnouts of 4.37%, 4.72%, 4.19% and 1.60% in the corresponding order. It is important to note that all the six (6) newly created regions recorded status of very high voter turnouts in the 80% – 89% category; even with comparative decrease voter turnouts in the four (4) regions.Comparatively, the newly created regions of Oti, Ahafo, Bono East, Savanna and North maintained very high voter turnouts in the parliamentary elections whereas Western North region improved upon its average voter turnout from the 70% range to the 80% range.
The causal factors can generally be attributed to the alleged bloated voters register, and strong demand for the creation of new regions. The argument is that if the increase of voter turnouts for Western North and North East regions can be attributed to low strength of the bloated voters register but high demand for creation of new regions, then the decrease of voter turnouts in the Oti, Ahafo, Bono East and Savanna regions is the result of high strength in the bloated voters register but fairly high demand for creation of a new region. It means that the compilation of a new voters register in 2020 that replaced the 2018 voters registers in these six (6) regions and especially in the four (4) regions of Oti, Ahafo, Bono East and Savanna altered the voter turnouts as a true reflection of voter participation in the 2020 parliamentary elections.
It is important to note that Ghana’s electoral system thrives on universal adult suffrage with the right to vote asan adult and fashioned on the principle of one man; one vote. These regional voter turnouts indicate that voter participation in the parliamentary elections at all the 275 constituencies was augmented by constitutional provisions with the right to register and vote in public elections and referenda (Article 45 of the 1992 constitution). The new Public Elections Regulations, 2020 (C.I. 127) allowed verification by facial means with the help of Party Agents at Polling Stations in the failure of the Biometric Verification Devices to verify fingerprints of voters
It means that the Electoral Commission enforced this right through legal and pragmatic measures such as public education, training of election officials, supply of adequate election materials, with the collaboration of stakeholders like the Political Parties, Security, District Assemblies, electorate, Voters.
It is also important to note that Political Parties with targeted campaign messages, jingles, songs and slogans and strategies used demographic factors such as age, sex, population and land size to influence and shape the voting pattern in the 275 constituencies.
Voter turnout can be referred as valid and invalid ballot papers as long as these ballot papers reflect the actual number of voters who were qualified and voted in the election. This is important to Candidates, Political Parties, Electoral Commission and other Stakeholders because higher voter turnout is a plus to the enforcement of the right to vote in public elections as well as the opportunities to increase Candidate votes and chances of being elected.
Besides, a high voter turnout means increased understanding of the electorate to make political decisions and elect leaders in a decisive and democratic way other than use of aggressive and violent means. It means to say that the high voter turnout percentage at the various 275 constituencies is show of confidence in the electoral process and a good sign of the ever improving Ghana’s democracy. It shows that the electorate exercised their right as voters to maintain or elect new political leaders as their representatives.
The threshold of more than 25% of total Valid Votes determined the qualification and disqualification of Presidential Candidates who contested in the Presidential Election on 7th December 2020 in Ghana. Source of data is from the Parliamentary Results Summary Forms on the Electoral Commission of Ghana Website. This is a provision of the Law specified in Regulation 46 (3b) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020.
Twelve Presidential Candidates contested the election with eleven on the sponsorship of Political Parties and one as an Independent Presidential Candidate. The Party Presidential Candidates are Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo (NPP), John Dramani Mahama (NDC), Christian Kwabena Andrews (GUM), Ivor Kwabena Greenstreet (CPP), Akua Donkor (GFP), Henry Herbert Lartey (GCPP), Hassan Ayariga (APC), Kofi Percival Akpaloo (LPG), David Apesera (PNC), Bridgette Dzogbenuku (PPP) and Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings (NDP). The only Independent Presidential Candidate is Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker (IND).
Only Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo (NPP) and John Dramani Mahama (NDC) recorded more than 25% of the Total Valid Votes (TVV) of 3,279,780 to qualify for refund of their Presidential Nomination Fees of GH¢100,000.00 each as by Law establishes. However, the Ten (10) Presidential Candidates recorded valid votes less than the threshold and therefore forfeited their nomination fees to the state.
The respective Total Valid Votes obtained by the Presidential Candidates of the NPP and the NDC are 6,730,587 and 6,213,182 representing 51.30% and 47.36% respectively of the Total Valid Votes of the Twelve (12) Presidential Candidates.
The inability of the Ten (10) Presidential Candidates to qualify for refund of their nomination fees shows their unpopularity and weakness in Presidential Election 2020. Their respective Total Valid Votes are Christian Kwabena Andrews (GUM) with 105,548 and 0.80%, Ivor Kwabena Greenstreet (CPP) with 12,200 and 0.09%, Akua Donkor (GFP) with 5,574 and 0.04%, Henry Herbert Lartey (GCPP) with 3,564 and 0.03%, Hassan Ayariga (APC) with 7,138 and 0.05%, Kofi Percival Akpaloo (LPG) with 7,683 and 0.06%, David Apesera (PNC) with 10,882 and 0.08%, Bridgette Dzogbenuku (PPP) with 6,869 and 0.05% and Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings (NDP) with 6,549 and 0.05%. The only Independent Presidential Candidate is Alfred Kwame Asiedu Walker (IND) with 9,704 and 0.07%. Clearly, their performances in the 2020 Presidential Election was below expectation with regard to meeting more than 25% refundable threshold of Total Valid Votes.
It means also that their financial status is weak with great expenditure but no refund to have a financial balance especially with such parties who sponsor Presidential Candidates in Presidential Elections.
It is important to note that though the ten (10) Presidential Candidates forfeited their nomination fees to the state, it is arguably clear that they have made financial contributions to the state as good and law abiding citizens. A total amount of GH¢1,000,000 as Presidential Nomination Fees was paid by the Ten (10) losing Presidential Candidates and forfeited to the state as by Law establishes.
The dominance of the N.P.P and the N.DC in Ghana’s Presidential Election shows their popularity and strength since their formation in 1992. A combination of the Total Valid Votes of the Two (2) Presidential Candidates recorded 12,943,769 of the 13,119,480 Total Valid Votes of all the 2020 Presidential Votes. This represented 98.66% of Total Valid Votes of all the 2020 Presidential Votes. It reflects in their financial strength since they get their refund whether win or loss in every Presidential Election.
The other Ten (10) Presidential Votes recorded a total of 175,711 of the 13,119,480 Total Valid Votes of all the 2020 Presidential Votes. This represented 1.34% of Total Valid Votes.In all, a total of One Million, Two Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,200,000)was paid by the Twelve (12) Presidential Candidates of which Two Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢200,000) is to be refunded unlike One Million Ghana Cedis (GH¢1,000,000).
Though Ghana’s electoral system advocates for multiparty democracy with the registration of political parties without limit to contest in Presidential and Parliamentary Elections (Article 55 (1), Political Parties Act 2000 (ACT 574), it is important for weak and new Political Parties to have strategic planning that has the goal of qualification for refund of nomination fees to determine popularity level and strength. Once a Political Party qualifies for refund of Presidential Nomination Fee, it is on the right step to winning political power in future Presidential Elections.
Besides, the constitutional duty of Political Parties is to shape the political will of the people, disseminate information on political ideas, social and economic programmes of a national character, and sponsor candidates for election to any public office other than to district assemblies or lower government unit (Article 55 (3). Strategic planning and objectives must revolve around programmes that have a direct bearing on the development of the people.
Since communication of development programmes is key to shaping the political, economic and social mindset of the people, information flow can breach the gap between leaders of Political Parties and the people in the communities. Political education, indeed, thrives in election and non – election years. This key is a door opener to increase popularity and improve chances of Candidates meeting the threshold of more than 25% of Total Valid Votes and winning political power.
It is important to note that Madam Akua Donkor (GFP) was the only Party Presidential Candidate with no Parliamentary Candidate in the 2020 Parliamentary Elections; like an Independent Presidential Candidate.For the purpose of campaign to increase chances of winning Presidential Elections, it is politically prudent for Presidential Candidates to sponsor Parliamentary Candidates in some or all the 275 constituencies. Find below Political Parties and an Independent Presidential Candidate who contested the election.
The threshold of more than 12.5% of total Valid Votes determined the qualification and disqualification of Parliamentary Candidates who contested in the Parliamentary Elections in 7th December 2020 in Ghana. Source of data is from the Parliamentary Elections Results 2020 (Gazette).This is a provision of the Law specified in Regulation 46 (3a) of the Public Elections Regulations, 2020.
Only the four (4) political parties of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) Peoples National Congress (PNC) recorded parliamentary candidates who qualified for more than 12.5% refundable parliamentary fee. The two major Political Parties of the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress did not record 100% refundable parliamentary nomination fees because of the stronghold regions of these two parties. It is also important to note that the strong performances of some Independent Candidates denied affected N.P.P and N.D.C Parliamentary Candidates their qualification for refundable parliamentary nomination fees. As a result, the N.P.P recorded refundable Parliamentary nomination fees in 271 constituencies whereas the N.D.C in 269 constituencies. It is a fact that the strongholds of the N.P.P and the N.D.C, in the Ashanti and Volta regions, greatly influenced the 4:6 ratio of non – refundable parliamentary nomination fees with a difference of two (2) constituencies.
The 2020 parliamentary nomination fee was GH¢10,000.00 andrecorded a total of eight hundred and eighty (880) candidates with refundable nomination fees for five hundred and Sixty seven (567) parliamentary candidates and three hundred and thirteen (313) as non – refundable. This represented 64.43% and 35.57% respectively of total parliamentary candidates. It is important to note thatthe higher percentage of qualified parliamentary candidates with more than 12.5% refundable nomination fees determines the levels of popularity and strength in respective contested constituencies.
Of the total parliamentary candidates of five hundred and Sixty seven (567)who qualified refund of their nomination fees, four hundred and ninety two (492) are males and seventy five (75) are females. This represented 86.77% and 13.23% as males and females respectively.
Of the three hundred and thirteen (313) nonrefundable parliamentary candidates category, two hundred and sixty four (264) are males and forty four (44) are females. This represented 84.35% and 13.65% as males and females respectively.
It is important to note that the higher percentage of qualified parliamentary candidates with more than 12.5% refundable nomination fees determines the levels of popularity and strength in respective contested constituencies. A whooping amount of five million, six hundred and seventy thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢5,670,000) is to be refunded to qualified party parliamentary candidates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples National Congress (PNC) and the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), as well as twenty two (22) qualified Independent parliamentary candidates.
However, three million, one hundred and thirty thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢3,130,000) was forfeited to the state for obtaining valid votes less than or equal to 12.5% of total valid votes in contested constituencies. Clearly the performances of these affected parliamentary candidates show their low level of popularity and the need to re-strategize and improve their chances to qualify for refund and even win the parliamentary seats in future parliamentary elections.
REGION: VOLTA
NORTH TONGU – NPP Did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee.
AGOTIME – ZIOPE – NPP did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee.
SOUTH DAYI – NPP did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee.
KPANDO – NPP did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee. One of the two independent candidates qualified.
REGION: ASHANTI
FOMENA – NDC did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee. Independent parliamentary candidate who qualified was the former MP for the NPP.
BEKWAI – NDC did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee. Independent parliamentary candidate qualified.
SUAME – NDC did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee. Independent parliamentary candidate qualified.
KUMAWU – NDC did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee. Independent parliamentary candidate qualified.
BANTAMA – NDC did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee.
KWADASO – NDC did not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee.
It is important to note thatParliamentary Candidates filed by the eleven (11) political parties of the N.P.P. NDC, GUM, C.P.P, G.C.P.P, A.P.C, L.P.G, P.N.C, P.P.P, N.D.P, and the U.P.P determined their strength and popularity levels at contested constituencies in the Sixteen (16) regions of Ghana. A stronger and more objective determination is the refundable and non – refundable parliamentary nomination fees of these Parliamentary Candidates. The results of the 2020 Parliamentary Elections showed that 64% of the Eight Hundred and Eighty (880) Parliamentary Candidates qualified for more than 12.5% threshold of refundable nomination fees. Since this is more than the measuring result of 50%, it is argued that a greater number of Parliamentary Candidates (Party and Independent) had strong campaign messages and popular with the voter population. In the same vein, 36% non – refundable parliamentary nomination fees of the Eight Hundred and Eighty (880) Parliamentary Candidates (Party and Independent) is an indication of weak campaign messages and low popularity with the electorate.
The dominance of the N.P.P and the N.D.C was very strong in 271 and 269 constituencies respectively. These two major political parties recorded 99% and 98% refundable parliamentary nomination fees in the 275 constituencies. This shows their high level strength and popularity among the voter population having recorded more than 50% measuring result in the 2020 Parliamentary Elections.
It was weak for the P.N.C in the Upper East and Upper West Regions in three constituencies with three (3) Parliamentary Candidates with refundable nomination fees. The Party recorded 8% refundable nomination fees (GH¢30,000.00) of the thirty nine (39) Parliamentary Candidates who contested the elections in thirty nine (39) constituencies of the sixteen (16) regions. It is important to note that the P.N.C contested only four (4) constituencies of the fifteen (15) constituencies in the Upper East Region, and two (2) constituencies in the Upper West region and won 50% each of the refundable parliamentary nomination fees.
The P.P.P recorded parliamentary refundable nomination fees of GH¢20,000.00in two (2) of the four (4) constituencies of the Central and Volta Regions. This showed 11% of the total nineteen (19) parliamentary candidates in (19) constituencies. In these two regions, the party recorded 50% each refundable parliamentary nomination fees of the two (2) candidates respectively. It is important to note that the party contested the parliamentary elections in twelve (12) of the sixteen (16) regions unlike the Ashanti, Western North, Ahafo and North East regions.
Analytically, the measurement of refundable parliamentary nomination fees for the P.N.C and P.P.P are the same in terms of 50% collection of nomination fees in respective regions and constituencies qualified.
The performances of the other Political Parties with no refundable parliamentary nomination fee show their poor and weakening positions and popularity in the contested constituencies. If these political parties could not qualify for refundable parliamentary nomination fee in at least one (1) constituency, then their strength and popularity is very low. The only way for these very weak political Parties to be strong, recognized and rewarded in the constituencies is to build strong party offices with pragmatic political activities that have a direct bearing in the development of the people (Political Parties Law 2000, Act 574).
Though Ghana’s General Elections seem to show the dominance of the two political parties of the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress, the other political parties with low performances can increase their chances of obtaining more than 12.5% threshold of the total valid votes in respective contested constituency with effective political and campaign strategies. Once a Parliamentary Candidate qualifies for refundable nomination fee, it is a major step to increase chances of winning the parliamentary seat or come close to win it in the next parliamentary election. This is better than waiting for the two major political Parties of the N.P.P and the N.D.C to make major political mistakes and lose support and popularity of the electorate and other Stakeholders. They must learn from successful Independent Candidates with no offices in the constituencies/districts.
With the total number of Sixty Six (66) Independent Candidates, 33% recorded refundable parliamentary nomination fees unlike 66% in Fourteen (14) of the Sixteen (16) regions. Only Ahafo and North East regions did not record Independent Parliamentary Candidates in the 2020 Parliamentary Elections. The strength and popularity of some of the Independent Candidates were evident in the Ashanti and Volta regions, the strongholds of the N.P.P and the N.D.C. Results in constituencies such as Kpando, Fomena, Bekwai, Suame and Kumawu recorded Independent Candidates qualified for refundable nomination fees unlike the N.P.P at Kpando, and the N.D.C at Fomena, Bekwai, Suame and Kumawu.
Comparatively, the Political Parties with Five Hundred and Forty Five (545) Parliamentary Candidates have a superior urge and dominance over Independent Parliamentary Candidates with Twenty Two (22) recorded 67% and 33% respectively of refundable parliamentary nomination fees. Using the measuring result of more than 50%, the performances of Party Parliamentary Candidates was higher in terms of popularity with organized and systematic campaigns than Independent Candidates. With non – refundable parliamentary nomination fees, results of Forty Four (44) Independent Candidates show weaker positions than Two Hundred and Sixty (269) Party Candidates with 67% and 33% respectively.
Indeed, the principle of universal adult suffrage works in all democracies with the conduct of public elections as part of the electoral system within the framework of the political system. It shows that true power is in the hands of the electorate and they determine whether a candidate wins the election and qualifies for refundable nomination fee or does not win the election but qualifies for refundable nomination fee as established by law.
Source: 2020 Parliamentary Elections Results in Ghana (Gazette)
Writer: Nana Kwaku Duodu
Be informed that all the blank rows and columns mean that no parliamentary Candidates were filed to contest the Parliamentary Elections.
Nana Kwaku Duodu blog 