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Hon Kofi Adams, the former National Organizer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and current Member of Parliament(MP) for the Buem Constituency in the Oti region has downplayed the importance of ballot positions in Ghana’s upcoming December 7 presidential elections. Appearing on Joy News’s Newsfile, Adams shared his views on the recent balloting process conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC) for presidential candidates.
Mr Adams argued that the position a candidate occupies on the ballot paper has little to no influence on the outcome of elections. He pointed out that in previous elections, there were instances where candidates at the top of the ballot did not perform well, stressing that the voting public is more concerned with the party they support rather than where a candidate is placed on the ballot.
“Placement on the ballot doesn’t matter. We’ve seen time and again that the number one position hasn’t guaranteed victory,” Adams stated firmly, referencing historical election results.
Emefa Apawu, the host of the show, quickly countered by pointing out that in some cases, candidates who were placed first on the ballot paper ended up winning their respective elections.
She referenced examples of elections where this occurred, suggesting that ballot position might hold some significance after all.
In response, Adams acknowledged the validity of Apawu’s observation but maintained his stance.
“Yes, it’s true that in some cases candidates who were placed first won, but the reality is that voters know their preferred party.
The ballot position does not change that,” Adams replied confidently. He stressed that Ghanaians have become more politically aware and that they go to the polls with their minds made up, regardless of where a candidate appears on the ballot paper.
Addressing recent speculations regarding the ballot position of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Adams expressed his lack of concern.
“There are allegations of manipulation surrounding Dr. Bawumia’s placement on the ballot, but frankly, I don’t care about that.
“What matters to me is ensuring that the electoral process is transparent and free from manipulation.
That’s how we protect the people’s mandate,” he added, reaffirming his commitment to maintaining the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process.
Adams’ comments reflect the broader sentiment within the NDC, which has consistently emphasized the need for fairness and transparency in the run-up to the 2024 elections.