3 CSOs condemn electoral law violations

Three civil society organisations (CSOs) have jointly condemned the flagrant violation of electoral laws of the country by the two leading political parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

"We have observed with grave concern the blatant disregard for Sections 33 and 34 of the Representation of the People Law, 1992, by the NDC and NPP," the CSOs said in a joint statement they issued last Tuesday, November 3, 2024.

The CSOs are the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana). 

Laws  

“Section 33 of the Representation of the People Law, 1992 (PNDCL 284) forbids the payment of money or giving of gifts in the form of an inducement to a voter or the receiving of same by a voter.”

“Section 34 of the Representation of the People Law, 1992 (PNDCL 284) makes it an electoral offence of treating, if a person corruptly either themself 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,” the statement said.

"The sharing of cooked food, bags of rice and cooking oil to prospective voters is a clear violation of electoral laws and undermines the principles of fairness, transparency and accountability," the CSOs said.

Instances

The CSOs cited specific instances of electoral law violations, including allegations against NDC and NPP officials notably Ernest Adomako and Lydia Alhassan and called for investigations and further action.