Electoral Commission’s Bias Weakening Smaller Parties in Ghana – APC Flagbearer Hassan Ayariga.

Electoral Commission’s Bias Weakening Smaller Parties in Ghana – APC Flagbearer Hassan Ayariga.

13 August, 2024

In an exclusive interview on Ghana Wonsom, hosted by BIC on Ideal 96.7 fm, the founder and flagbearer of the All People’s Congress (APC), Mr. Hassan Ayariga, voiced strong concerns about the unfair treatment smaller political parties face in Ghana. According to Mr. Ayariga, the Electoral Commission (EC) has implemented policies that disproportionately harm minority parties, undermining their ability to compete fairly in the political arena.

Mr. Ayariga highlighted the high filing fee of GHC 100,000 as one of the major obstacles for smaller parties. He criticized the EC’s rule that refunds the filing fee only to parties that secure at least 25% of the vote, a threshold typically met by major parties like the NDC and NPP. This policy, he argues, is both unfair and unconstitutional, as it favors larger parties while leaving smaller ones financially strained.

Furthermore, Mr. Ayariga expressed frustration with the EC’s inconsistent enforcement of its own regulations. He noted that while the NDC or NPP often escape disqualification despite failing to meet certain requirements, minority parties are swiftly disqualified under similar circumstances. He cited the 2016 disqualification of 13 minority parties by then-EC Chairperson Madam Charlotte Osei as a glaring example of this double standard.

The APC flagbearer also pointed out the media’s role in marginalizing smaller parties. He lamented that media houses frequently reject representatives from minority parties, focusing instead on the two major parties, which further contributes to the weakening of the political landscape in Ghana. With limited access to traditional media platforms, Mr. Ayariga emphasized that social media has become the last refuge for minority parties to reach the electorate.

Mr. Ayariga’s remarks call attention to the significant challenges facing Ghana’s smaller political parties and raise important questions about the fairness and inclusivity of the country’s electoral process.

Source: Ideal FM