Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has urged political parties to lower the mistrust for the Electoral Commission (EC).
He indicated that the growing mistrust could create problems for the nation, as the general elections approach.
Speaking at a dinner he hosted for the members of the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) on Monday, September 9, 2024, at his residence in Kumasi, the Asantehene said, “heightened vigilance is of course necessary, but we need to restore confidence between contesting political parties and candidates and the Electoral Commission.”
Free and fair elections
Otumfuo said to many people, the issue is not who wins but whether the conduct of the elections will be fair and will deliver a peaceful outcome. “For my part, I remain pretty sanguine about the outcome for two main reasons,” he stated.
To him, there is no reason for Ghanaians to trade the liberty to elect a leader by the power of their thumb, for any other alternative.
He added: “Much as one may distrust the individuals in charge of the electoral process at any given time, it has been demonstrated that changes will occur in spite of the individual operatives. The evidence of our history is that the system produce the outcome that reflects the voice of the people.”
The Asantehene, therefore, appealed to Ghanaians to maintain confidence in the electoral process.
Engagement
Otumfuo suggested that the GBA invite Dr Muhamudu Bawumia and John Dramani Mahama, the candidates of the two leading political parties, NPP and NDC to their ongoing conference to seek their commitment to a peaceful campaign and the use of due process for the resolution of any unforeseen incidents.
