Lessons from Talensi: Shun vote-buying politicians

Money sharing and vote buying have become a worrying trend threatening the very fabric of the country’s democracy.
This canker, if not halted, will breed corruption and lead to disunity and rent seeking.

During last Tuesday’s Talensi by-election, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) traded accusations of vote buying against each other.

This is worrying, should the accusations and counter-accusations by the two dominant political forces turn out to be true.

It is the candid view of the Daily Graphic that political parties and politicians who engage in vote buying are not qualified to hold leadership positions, much more worth voting for.

Indeed, if political power is given to the highest bidder in the name of political payments, it will not augur well for nation building.

As a nation, we must always endeavour not to entrust the country’s future into the hands of vote-buying politicians who, in the end, cannot offer any programme to develop the communities and improve the living conditions of the electorate.

The Daily Graphic urges the electorate to kick against the money-sharing practice of politicians to influence voters’ decision and choices.
We appeal to all to try to collectively seek a lasting solution to this bad habit and begin to name and shame politicians who dole out money to influence votes in the country.

Another worrying trend is the issue of violence in our body politic.

President John Mahama, in a tweet, has asked the security agencies in the country to take a cue from the violence that characterised the by-election in Talensi and ensure that such incidents are prevented in the 2016 elections.

In a tweet to congratulate the NDC’s candidate, B.T. Baba, who won the by-election, the President described the pockets of violence that engulfed the elections as unacceptable.

Former President Jerry John Rawlings has also called for the arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of the Talensi by-election violence.
In his view, it is of grave concern and, therefore, the law enforcement agencies should act with dispatch to apprehend all those believed to have participated in the acts of violence.

The Daily Graphic is of the view that we do not need the President’s intervention before the police, with the mandate for law enforcement, act to apprehend lawbreakers.

The police must endeavour to always give hope and assurance that we are safe everywhere.

Leadership is not always from political leadership but from all stakeholders, including religious and traditional authorities, civil society organisations and opinion leaders, who should help in reining in politicians and individuals who want to undermine our democracy, security and well-being.