The ugly truth: Democracy on sale

Vote buying has become a rampant phenomenon in Ghana’s political landscape. It has taken centre stage in recent times, with instances recorded during elections.

The act is immoral, unethical, and a dent on the fabric of Ghana’s young democracy. The increasing spate of vote-buying is alarming, and there is a need for urgent intervention. 

Vote buying refers to the act of offering gifts, money, or other incentives in return for votes during elections. The practice has become prevalent in Ghana, especially during election campaigns. Vote buying manifests in different ways such as sharing money, food items, and other resources, offering jobs, scholarships, and the offer of other economic incentives. The promises made are attractive, but they come at a high cost to the integrity of Ghana’s democracy.

Vote-buying has been reported in previous Ghanaian elections, but statistics on such events are few. A former MP for Kwesimintin in the Western Region, however, admitted to paying bribes to NPP parliamentary primary delegates in 2020 during a corruption watch investigation. According to the 2016 Ghana Election Violence Report, vote-buying activities influenced election results in a number of seats. The recently finished NPP parliamentary primaries in orphan constituencies, as well as the Assin North by-election, should not be disregarded.

The Office of the Special Prosecutor has declared certain individuals seen on video flaunting money allegedly acquired from parliamentary candidates as wanted. We hope this isn't a wild goose chase or much ado about nothing. However, we applaud the OSP for taking this action. Such an act will create 'fear of God' in people who will join in future exhibit this terrible behavior. Even if only one person is convicted for these reasons, it will serve as a deterrent. People may be encouraged to engage in it in public if there are no convictions since they will know they will face no consequences.

Factors responsible for the phenomenon of vote buying in Ghana reveal that socio-economic factors, tribalism, nepotism and political culture are contributory factors. Politicians often use vote buying to influence the voting patterns of people from specific ethnic groups, geographical areas, and social class. 

Vote buying is inimical to Ghana’s democracy as it undermines the sanctity of the election and electoral process. It discourages free, fair and transparent election process as voters become influenced by the gift or benefits received instead of voting based on policy, ideology and competence of those seeking elected positions. The practice also leads to an unequal distribution of public resources to benefit the areas where politicians have bought votes. The act further contributes to the promotion of partisan politics as politicians use their manipulated power to their advantage.

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana strictly prohibits vote buying. Moreover, various statutes, rules and regulations such as the Electoral Commission Act, the Political Parties Act and the Representation of the People Act have provisions against vote buying. Case laws have also established the responsibility of the Electoral Commission to ensure a free and fair election process. Ghana being a member of the Commonwealth shares the principle of fair and transparent election with other members.

Examples of these acts are as follows:

People law, 1992 (PNDCL 284) as amended by Representation of the People (Amendment) law, 1992 (PNDCL 296), Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 1994 (Act 471), Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2006 (Act 699) regulations have been in effect for over three decades.

33. (1) A person commits the offence of bribery -

(a) if he directly, or acting through another person –

(i) gives money, or obtains an office for a voter in order to induce the voter to vote, or refrain from voting; or

(ii) corruptly does such an act on account of a voter having voted, or restrained from voting; or

(iii) makes a gift, or provides something of value to a voter to induce the voter to vote in a certain way, or to obtain the election of a candidate; or

b) if he advances, or pays money, or causes money to be paid to, or for the use of a person, with the intent that the money, or part of it shall be expended in bribery at an election, or knowingly pays money, or causes money to be paid to a person in discharge, or repayment of money wholly, or in part expended in bribery at an election; or

(c) if, before or during an election he directly or indirectly, by himself or through another person acting on his behalf, receives, agrees, or contracts for money, gift, a loan or valuable consideration, or an office, place or employment for himself, or for another person for voting, or agreeing to vote, or for refraining, or agreeing to refrain from voting; or

(d) if after an election he directly, or through another person receives money, or valuable consideration on account of a person having voted, or refrained from voting, or having induced another person to vote, or to refrain from voting.

Section 34 

—Treating

A person commits the offence of treating—

(a) if he corruptly either himself or through another person, before, during or after an election gives or provides or pays wholly or in part the expenses of giving or providing meat, drink, entertainment or provision to or for any person—

(i) for the purpose of corruptly influencing that person or another person to vote or refrain from voting; or

(ii) on account of that person or another person having voted or refrained from voting or being about to vote or refrain from voting; or

(b) if he corruptly accepts or takes any meat, drink, entertainment or provision offered in the circumstances and for the purposes mentioned in paragraph (a) of this section.

Engaging in or conspiring with others in bribery or treating in order to influence a voter's choice is punishable by a fine or jail, or both.

If the aforesaid law is strictly enforced, the problem of vote buying will be decreased or eliminated.

Efforts should be made to empower especially rural folks who are the most vulnerable to be enticed to sell votes through livelihood empowerment programs. The citizenry must be educated through civic education programs to understand the detrimental effect of vote buying on Ghana’s democracy. There should be a media campaign against vote-buying to enlighten the public to the dangers and implications of the practice. The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should be more proactive in educating the masses.

Conclusion

Vote buying violates the fundamental rights of citizens and undermines election integrity, it should be condemned without any equivocation. Ghana’s democracy needs to be nurtured, strengthened, and protected from all forms of corruption, including vote buying. 

The recommended measures if implemented would go a long way in curbing the menace. The laws prohibiting vote buying should be revised and toughened. 

As Ghana prepares for the upcoming 2024 General Elections, it must be a collective responsibility to prevent vote buying from marring the country's election process and maintain Ghana’s enviable democratic credentials in the comity of nations.