Decisive battleground

…2024 elections and the pivotal role of ICT in the electoral process

As Ghana gears up for its 2024 general elections, the political landscape is heating up with major parties and candidates solidifying their positions and strategies. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reaffirmed its confidence in former President John Dramani Mahama as its flagbearer, while the New Patriotic Party (NPP) is rallying behind Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. Additionally, notable figures like Mr. John Alan Kyeremanten are making their presence felt in the race, alongside other emerging forces.

John Mahama’s return as the NDC flagbearer highlights his enduring appeal and experience in Ghanaian politics. His vision for a 24-hour economy, aimed at enhancing productivity and job creation, underscores his commitment to national development. Mahama’s focus on modernizing agriculture, promoting agro-processing, and transforming Ghana into an export-led economy is central to his campaign (Ghana Business News).

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, representing the NPP, brings his economic expertise to the forefront, with the party looking to maintain its governing status. The NPP’s agenda is expected to focus on continuing current policies and introducing new initiatives to bolster Ghana’s economic growth and stability.

The presence of other candidates like Alan Kyeremanten adds diversity to the political contest, ensuring a vibrant and multi-faceted election. Recent surveys suggest a competitive landscape, with John Mahama reportedly leading in certain regions, indicating a strong contest ahead (Pulse Ghana, Modern Ghana).

Amidst this political fervor, the role of Ghana’s Electoral Commission is more crucial than ever. The EC’s responsibilities extend beyond managing the logistics of voting; it plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the elections are conducted in a peaceful, fair, and transparent manner. This involves strict adherence to electoral laws, unbiased administration of the electoral process, and effective communication with the public to maintain trust in the electoral system.

Former President Mahama has expressed his commitment to fighting corruption, emphasizing transparency and accountability, which aligns with the principles of good governance (Graphic Online). Such commitments are essential in shaping a political landscape where integrity and ethical conduct are prioritized.

As the election draws closer, the EC’s ability to manage the electoral process effectively will be under scrutiny. Its actions will be critical in ensuring that the 2024 elections reflect the will of the Ghanaian people and contribute to the nation’s democratic journey.

The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in electoral processes is increasingly recognized as crucial for enhancing transparency, efficiency, and inclusiveness. Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) can draw valuable lessons from global practices to improve its electoral processes. This article explores innovative ICT initiatives in electoral management from around the world and suggests how Ghana can integrate these technologies.

Global Insights and Lessons:

E-Voting Systems: This might not be achievable in the upcoming election but should be a priority for subsequent elections after the 2024 elections. European nations like Belgium and Estonia have piloted e-voting systems, which offer increased participation, especially for voters abroad and those with disabilities. However, these systems require stringent security measures to prevent vote tampering and ensure auditability. In Ghana, there is the Representation of the People’s Amendment Law (ROPAL) established in 2006 under the leadership of President Kufuor. This law was intended to enable Ghanaians living abroad to participate in Ghana’s elections by voting. However, its implementation has faced challenges and delays. Concerns have been raised regarding the feasibility of implementing ROPAL, especially in terms of the logistics involved in enabling Ghanaians in countries without Ghanaian embassies to vote. There are also concerns about the integrity of votes cast abroad, given that most diplomats are government employees. Despite a High Court order in 2017 directing the Electoral Commission to begin the process of implementing ROPAL, significant progress has not been made, and there is skepticism about its eventual implementation. An E-Voting system for every Ghanaian outside the borders of Ghana with a Passport or a National ID card can be achieved. The Electoral Commission should work towards implementing ROPAL soon.

The EC should also look at providing E-voting opportunities for citizens within the country. This can help cut down on the cost of organizing elections in Ghana. Costs associated with ballot printing, counting, and transportation can all be reduced by half or more. With the digitalization of the economy and the introduction of the Ghana Card, this is achievable. A good pilot will be for security personnel, journalists, and other people who are normally involved during the day of the elections. They can take 5 mins on the day of the election to vote while on their way to the election centers.

Results Processing and Open Data: The EC has for some time now been relying on vote verification by Political Parties and periodic announcements of collated results, but ICT can be used to ensure a seamless process and declare results in a timely fashion. To successfully implement results processing and open data in electoral systems using ICT, several critical steps must be taken. First, a robust ICT infrastructure is essential, including reliable hardware and software to efficiently process and publish election results. This infrastructure must be supported by strong data security measures to protect against potential cyber threats and breaches, ensuring the integrity of the election results.

In addition to technical infrastructure, the use of open-source technology is crucial for enhancing transparency. Open-source solutions allow for independent verification of the software, fostering public trust in the electoral process. Alongside this, adequate training and capacity building for electoral staff is necessary to ensure the effective utilization of these ICT tools. The legal and regulatory framework also plays a pivotal role, providing the necessary legal backing for the use of technology in elections and ensuring compliance with data privacy, security, and accessibility standards.

Finally, the successful implementation of ICT in elections requires the involvement of various stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, and international observers. This collaborative approach ensures widespread acceptance and trust in the system. Additionally, regular audits and quality assurance processes are vital for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of the technology used. Public education and awareness campaigns are equally important to inform the electorate about the technology used in elections and the processes involved in results processing and data publication. The sustainability and scalability of the technology solutions are also key considerations, ensuring that they remain effective and relevant over multiple election cycles.

Cybersecurity in Elections: Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity, organizations like the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) have emphasized the need for careful procurement of hardware and software, vulnerability identification, and results software audits. The EC should take cybersecurity as a top priority when purchasing any software or hardware for the upcoming elections. Political parties should also be vigilant and question the sources and persons who lead the process for such purchases. To ensure trust, the EC should make such purchases transparent to all Ghanaians.

Online Candidate and Party Registration: Facilitating online platforms for candidate and party registration simplifies the process and makes it more accessible to a broader spectrum of the population. This system will eliminate the current process of submitting forms in person, moving around the constituencies to get persons to endorse forms and finally submit all endorsed forms to the EC. The time and money used to go around can be saved with an online candidate and party registration platform.

In Conclusion, the effective use of ICT in electoral processes can significantly enhance the integrity and transparency of elections in Ghana. Drawing on global experiences and practices, the EC can implement technologies that not only streamline electoral processes but also bolster democracy.

The author is a Product Manager / Member, IIPGH

For comments, contact author [email protected] | WhatsApp: 233507393640

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