The discourse surrounding the leadership of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) and its potential impact on election outcomes has been a recurring theme in the nation’s political landscape. Kwasi Obeng-Fosu, also known as Baba Tauffic, former Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Energy, contends that this debate is misplaced and unproductive. He argues that the historical record of Ghanaian elections demonstrates a clear pattern: the identity of the EC Chairperson does not predetermine the victorious party. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of the EC functioning as an independent and impartial body, upholding its core duties without succumbing to political pressure from any party. He posits that the results emanating directly from the polling stations ultimately dictate the election outcome, reflecting the will of the electorate.
Baba Tauffic supports his assertion by highlighting the evolving maturity of Ghana’s democratic processes. He contends that the perception of bias towards a particular party by the EC Chairperson does not translate into an automatic victory for that party. Rather, he observes a recurring trend where the party perceived to be favored by the EC often loses, and the electoral mandate compels the commission to declare the opposition as the winner. This, he argues, underscores the resilience of the Ghanaian electorate and their ability to exercise their franchise independent of perceived EC biases. He therefore calls for a shift in focus away from the personality of the EC Chairperson and towards more substantive issues facing the nation.
To further substantiate his claim, Baba Tauffic cites specific examples from recent Ghanaian elections. He points to the case of Charlotte Osei, appointed EC Chairperson during the National Democratic Congress (NDC) tenure, who, despite enjoying significant backing from the incumbent party, could not prevent their defeat in the subsequent election. Similarly, he references Jean Mensah, who succeeded Charlotte Osei after the New Patriotic Party (NPP) victory. Despite facing considerable controversy and accusations of bias from the NDC, Jean Mensah ultimately declared opposition leader John Mahama the winner of the 2024 presidential election. These examples, according to Baba Tauffic, demonstrate the limited influence of the EC Chairperson in swaying the overall outcome of an election.
Baba Tauffic dismisses allegations of electoral manipulation by the EC in favor of a specific political party as impractical and improbable. He argues that the increased scrutiny and technological advancements in election monitoring make rigging virtually impossible. The heightened vigilance from political parties, the media, and various observer groups significantly reduces the likelihood of any EC Chairperson successfully manipulating results within the collation center, commonly referred to as the “strong room.” The prevalence of multiple media platforms, actively collecting and disseminating provisional results directly from polling stations as they are counted and declared, further strengthens the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
The technological advancements introduced in recent elections, particularly in 2016 and 2024, have played a crucial role in minimizing the potential for manipulation. These include the electronic transmission of results from polling stations, biometric voter verification systems, and the increased availability of real-time data to various stakeholders. These technological interventions have made it exponentially more difficult to alter results undetected, further reinforcing the argument that the focus should be on the integrity of the process rather than the perceived biases of the individuals leading the EC.
In conclusion, Baba Tauffic’s perspective advocates for a shift in the narrative surrounding Ghana’s elections. He urges a move away from the fixation on the personality of the EC Chairperson and the perceived influence they wield. Instead, he emphasizes the importance of strengthening the institutional capacity of the EC to function independently and impartially, while also acknowledging the crucial role played by technology in enhancing transparency and minimizing opportunities for manipulation. He believes that the maturity of Ghana’s democracy, coupled with technological advancements and citizen vigilance, ensures that the will of the people, as expressed at the polling stations, ultimately prevails. This, he contends, makes the debate over the EC Chairperson’s political affiliations largely irrelevant to the final outcome of elections. He advocates for focusing on substantive policy issues rather than expending energy on unproductive debates about the EC leadership.
