Carpet-crossing: Some thoughts

The legalities and interpretations as to the constitutionality or otherwise of the positions taken by the Members of Parliament (MPs) and the Speaker's Verdict, coupled with the Supreme Court's directive, are issues that have resulted in much debate.

A fundamental question is; how did we arrive here?

It seems that one of the major contributory factors to this phenomenon of Members of Parliament (MPs) crossing over to become independent candidates are those who were sidelined in the parliamentary primaries.

There are also those who, during the parliamentary primaries, lost in their various constituencies for some reason, and lastly, it seems the reason for the independent candidature is because they did not want to be aligned to any political party.

There is also the perception that the use of delegates to vote during the presidential and parliamentary primaries to elect presidential and parliamentary candidates to represent their political parties is a breeding ground for corrupt practices.

Allegations are rife about delegates being camped at hotels and being influenced with cash, household appliances, vehicles, motorbikes, refrigerators, TV sets, etc.

To establish a level playing ground, going forward, we must review the practicality of the delegate system in deciding on a presidential or parliamentary candidate for a constituency.

I believe without a review of this mode of choosing candidates, the phenomenon of having independent presidential and parliamentary candidates would persist.

Let us use the same process used during the general elections in choosing final candidates, without restrictions to only delegates at the various constituencies.

That would ensure fairness and justice during the primaries in electing presidential and parliamentary candidates. 

Emmanuel Tetteh Mensah,
Executive Director,
Your Procurement Eye
E-mail: yprocure.Eye@gmail.com