The District Level Election 

COMMENTARY ON THE DISTRICT LEVEL ELECTION 

Contestants in today`s District Level Elections have been unusually high. Unlike previous times when only two or three candidates filed their nominations to contest, this time round a lot of interest has been generated with as many as ten or more aspirants contesting in some electoral areas. This notwithstanding, turn out at the elections are not as expected. This can be attributed to poor publicity and sensitization of the electorate. Voter turnout in the District Level elections since its inception in 1988 has generally been poor. Analysts blame the Electoral Commission and NCCE for not doing much in the area of voter education. 

Paradoxically, the District level election is one poll every Ghanaian ought to play an active role in, because the District Assemblies are the base of development. They are the cradle of most politicians. The Assemblies have nurtured most of the politicians we see around these days from Member of Parliament to the President. Per the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462, the Assemblies are to spearhead the overall development of the Districts including the provision of basic infrastructure in collaboration with the relevant state institutions. They are required to formulate and execute plans, programmes and strategies aimed at mobilising resources from within their locality to further their development role. Most of them have shirked these responsibilities thereby relying on statutory funds. One area most Assemblies have been found wanting is environmental sanitation. The recent floods and cholera epidemic that claimed many lives in Accra especially, could have been averted if the local Assemblies had been more proactive.  People have encroached in state lands and water ways thereby leading to floods each time it rains. It is true, the Assemblies cannot wholly be blamed for some of these lapses; most of them lack resources to carry out their duties.  People refuse to pay their house rate, market tolls, business operating fees and the like. The little that they get, find their ways into the pockets of corrupt officials. Successive Public Account Committee reports have indicted District Assemblies for misappropriation and embezzlement of funds. We therefore need agile and proactive Assembly members to put these officials in check. Assembly members in their electoral areas must liaise with the sub metros to check people who flout the Assemblies by-laws especially those who build without the requisite permit. It is hoped dedicated and committed Assembly and Unit Committee members are put in place to tackle the job head on. The one - third Government Appointees to the Assemblies must also be professionals and not just party members.  It is about time proposals to remunerate Assembly members are implemented. In these times of economic hardship it will be virtually unwise for people to work on voluntary basis or subsist on meagre allowances.  

It is unfortunate some people aged 70 and above were banned from contesting the District level elections. This is quite unfair.  How come people in the same age group are allowed to contest Parliamentary and Presidential elections yet disallowed from participating in the Assembly elections.  If age truly connotes wisdom and experience, then we are denying the Assemblies of them.  For people who used party colours and emblem and were disqualified, there will definitely be no tears for Ananse.  The Electoral Commission needs a pat on their shoulders for increasing the polling stations from 26,000 to 30,000.  This will indeed help to accelerate the voting process as well as counting of ballots.  Beefing up security of the polling stations is also remarkable and will help ensure discipline at the centers. Ghana`s democracy is touted as one of the best on the continent thus making it imperative to shirk the apathy towards the District level elections. Voting in election is a civic responsibility we cannot run away from. Therefore let’s exercise our franchise in dignity.    

BY: JUSTICE MINGLE, A JOURNALIST.