Wishing NDC incident-free, fair and credible poll

The democratic credentials of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) will deepen today when the delegates of the party go to the polls to successfully elect a flag bearer to lead the party to the 2020 presidential election.

The polls are historic in the sense that seven party stalwarts are taking part in the nationwide exercise which is taking place in 276 polling centres, including the party headquarters in Accra.

Per the constitution of the party, election of a flag bearer is to take place two years prior to the national general election when the party is in opposition.

The election of a flag bearer, therefore, has been delayed by court cases which have been successfully resolved, paving the way for the exercise today.

The Daily Graphic, therefore, commends the party for its ability to deal with the challenges.

We think these are some of the indicators of maturity and the high level of internal democratic values. They are a pointer to the fact that no one person in the party can dictate the state of affairs and that decisions are arrived at by laid-down procedures and consensus.

From all indications, it appears the preparations will bear fruitful dividends but the delegates have the onerous responsibility to make this all-important decision of electing a flag bearer for the party.

As we wish the NDC well in this exercise, we want to remind members of the party that it is not just the country that is watching them but the rest of the world, and hence they have the obligation to conduct a successful primary that will further enhance the party’s democratic credentials and ensure their readiness for Election 2020.

The NDC has already set the pace by expanding its electoral college which will reduce the suspicion of collusion and influence which could likely have cast doubt on the outcome of the poll.

This will surely give the results more credibility and it is the hope of the Daily Graphic that other political parties in the country will also deepen their democratic practices.

Coincidentally, the primary is being held in the wake of reports of a shooting incident a few days earlier at the Ashanti regional head office of the party.

Our admonition is that the party should not take things for granted but ensure that it liaises with the Police Administration to ensure utmost security, free of any intimidation so that delegates can make their choices in a free and fair manner.

It is refreshing that the Police Administration has assured the nation that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure a free and fair poll.

But we urge the police to identify flashpoints in order to be more vigilant in such places to prevent any hoodlum(s) from disrupting this all-important democratic process.

We are also not oblivious of the fact that the various aspirants may have their own reservations about the process.

But we ask them to accept defeat in the interest of the party and throw their support behind whoever will emerge the winner so that with unity of purpose the party will enter the 2020 general election as a strong contender.

The Daily Graphic sends its warmest felicitations to the aspirants and wish the NDC an incident-free, fair and credible election whose outcome will be acceptable to all party members.