Ghanaians have been cautioned against succumbing to deceitful prophecies when choosing political leaders for the upcoming 2024 general election.
The Rector of Global Theological Seminary (GTS), Reverend Dr. Komi A. Hiagbe, emphasized that these self-made prophecies aim to mislead the public into believing that certain leaders have been chosen by God for the country.
In an interview with the Daily Graphic, Dr. Hiagbe expressed concern about individuals claiming to be men of God, delivering conflicting prophecies during elections.
He noted that such contradictory predictions can impact the judgment of congregants, potentially leading the country to lose competent leaders as some may be swayed by these prophecies.
“The truth is that God’s concern for us as a nation is not much about which football team wins, how the Black Stars are going to fare at AFCON or any other tournament.
Dr. Hiagbe, who holds a Master’s in Divinity and a doctoral degree in Theology, questioned the authenticity of prophecies that focus on political outcomes and emphasized that God’s concerns for the nation go beyond political leadership.
He criticized the prevalence of conflicting prophecies and the potential for deception, especially when there are prevailing issues of evil within churches and among congregations.
The scholar’s perspective aligns with recent concerns about prophecies predicting election outcomes, with the Police Administration engaging church leaders on responsible public communication.
Dr. Hiagbe underscored the importance of the Church playing a neutral and non-partisan role, focusing on prayer for peaceful elections and not becoming a platform for political promotion.
He emphasized that the Church should encourage informed choices by congregants and citizens for the betterment, peace, and stability of the country.
Dr. Hiagbe urged the electorate to prioritize competent leaders who can address challenges such as economic hardship and provide solutions in areas like education, health, sanitation, and employment.
Beyond prayer, Dr. Hiagbe emphasized that the Church should adopt a development-oriented approach, contributing solutions to national problems and serving as an agent for the realization of people’s potential.
The New Patriotic Party’s parliamentary primaries held on January 27, 2024, took a surprising turn as some key Members of Parliament lost their seats.
Others were also able to secure enough votes to retain their tickets to return to the House.
As widely expected, the primaries threw up some surprises which meant a good number of appointees of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo lost their bids to continue in Parliament.
Below is a list of ministers who lost their bids
Below is the full list of incumbent MPs who lost:
Freda Prempeh (Tano North) – Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources
Bright Wireko-Brobbey (Twifo Hemang Denkyira) – Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations.
Joseph Cudjoe (Effia) – Minister of Public Enterprises
Ama Pomaa Boateng (Juaben) – Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation
Seth Kwame Acheampong (New Juaben North) – Eastern Regional Minister
Collins Augustine Ntim (Offinso North) – Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development
Bright Wereko Brobbey (Heman Lower Denkyira) – Deputy Minister for Employment and Labour Relations
Tina Mensah (Weija-Gbawe) – The Deputy Minister of Health
Gifty Twum Ampofo (Abuakwa North) – Deputy Minister of Education in charge of Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (TVET)
Moses Anim (Trobu) – Deputy Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development (MoFAD)
Hajia Lariba Zuweira (Walewale) – Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection
Mahama Seini (Daboya Mankarigu) – Deputy Minister for Health
Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has affirmed his dedication to maintaining fiscal discipline, assuring the prevention of budget overruns in the year 2024 as the country approaches the December elections. This commitment comes as part of efforts to ensure sound economic management during the election period.
“We have moved inflation from over 54.1% in December 2022 to about 23.2% in December 2023 and you think that did not come with exercising some fiscal prudence? The Ministry of Finance is not here to be loved, but to make sure that the community crosses the Jordan”, he told George Wiafe on PM Express, Business Edition on January 18, 2023.
He further mentioned that the Bank of Ghana is actively fulfilling its role in ensuring that monetary policy tools are effectively utilized to sustain the ongoing efforts to reduce inflation.
“We want to ensure that the right things are done going forward as a country. If the expenditure does not fall in line with the budget, I will not sign the cheque”, he said.
He emphasized that the government is fully committed to adhering strictly to its fiscal policies to achieve the outlined targets in the 2024 budget.
“I think the country is aware of the cost of inflation and cedi depreciation and we are going to do everything on our part to ensure that things don’t go bad”.
Containing inflation rate for 2024
Mr. Ofori-Atta emphasized that all government officials have been reminded to uphold fiscal prudence.
He revealed that the government has implemented stringent measures to control spending, resulting in a decline in inflation.
He believes that the right policies can be pursued to help the government achieve its end-of-year inflation target of 15% in 2024.
“If we should look at 2022 and 2023, we cannot forget about what government has done when it comes to expenditure and we intend to continue. It is an election year, we will not let our eyes off the ball when it comes to fiscal discipline”, he reiterated.
The Odododiodio constituency parliamentary primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) have been indefinitely postponed due to a court injunction obtained by a disqualified candidate, as announced by the party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, in a statement dated January 17, 2024.
The disqualified candidate contested the decision preventing him from participating in the primary, leading to a court-issued interlocutory injunction restraining the NDC from conducting the election until the matter is resolved.
The NDC’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) decided to postpone the election indefinitely during a meeting on January 16, 2024, and has called for peace among branch and constituency executives during this period.
The party has apologized for any inconvenience caused and will communicate a new date for the primaries when finalized.
Background: In November 2023, the NDC’s Functional Executive Committee disqualified Michael Nii Yarboi Annan from participating in the Odododiodioo Constituency parliamentary election.
The disqualification was based on findings by a special committee established by the FEC, which, according to the NDC, justified the decision.
The party cited Article 41(8)(b) of the NDC Constitution, indicating that a member must be an active member of the party at the constituency level for the four years immediately preceding the date of filing nominations, as the basis for Mr. Annan’s disqualification.
Vladimir Putin seems to be losing control of Russia with only a few months before the presidential elections. There has been a rebellion in one of the regions that produces oil.
Video shows a group of people throwing snowballs at police officers with shields and batons in a town called Baymak in Bashkortostan.
5,000 people came together to protest against a political leader who supports Putin. This happened because a rights activist was sentenced to four years in prison for extremism.
Fights started outside the court building in support of Fail Alsynov, who was accused of ‘encouraging hatred between different groups of people’.
Videos online show people yelling ‘Gas’ and running away during what many are saying is the biggest protest in Russia since the war in Ukraine began.
One video showed a row of police hitting people with batons. In another place, a woman was begging the police to stop hitting someone who was on the ground.
A lady was recorded shouting at a police officer, calling him a fascist and asking if he was going to fight with women. She also asked how he was not embarrassed.
Even though it was very cold at -17°C, a lot of people came to the area and shouted ‘Freedom’.
A lot of people were flying flags of Bashkiristan. Bashkirs are a group of people from Turkey who have fought against colonization for a long time.
In the town of Baymak, which has 17,000 people, there were some very unusual events. The government stopped the internet near the court because they were worried that more people would revolt.
The Kremlin is trying to stop any separatist or nationalist feelings among the Bashkirs in the oil-rich region by arresting and imprisoning Alsynov.
These types of protests almost never happen in the country because people can get arrested for gathering without permission from the authorities.
In the last two years, many people have been arrested for speaking out against the war in Ukraine.
The fighting in Bashkortostan happened a few months before Russians will vote for their new president.
There are reports of many fires being deliberately started in Bangladesh, the day before the people vote in the elections.
A Buddhist temple was burnt and trucks were attacked on a big road, after a train was set on fire on Friday.
The fire department says there were at least fourteen cases of deliberate fires in just a few hours, according to local news.
Many opposing parties are not taking part in the election. PM Sheikh Hasina is expected to win for the fourth time in a row.
The police have arrested a well-known opposition leader, Nabiullah Nabi, and six other members of his party for their suspected involvement in the fire on a train in Dhaka. The fire killed at least four passengers.
Samanta Lal Sen, a leader at the Dhaka hospital helping the people hurt in the fire, says eight people are very badly hurt.
The news in the area says that the Buddhist temple in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, was attacked early on Saturday.
The BNP party has told people not to vote and they have asked everyone to not work for two days.
The Awami League said the BNP is trying to cause trouble in the election by scaring and hurting innocent people.
The 2023 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, held under the auspices of the Speaker of Parliament, the Rt Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, gathered prominent figures such as His Excellency Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Chief Justice Her Ladyship Gertrude Araba Esaaba Sackey Torkornoo.
Leadership from both the Majority and Minority caucuses graced the occasion, alongside Members of Parliament, the Clerk to Parliament and deputies, Parliamentary Service staff, clergymen, and various choirs contributing to the night’s melodious atmosphere.
In his sermon, the Chairman of the Church of Pentecost, Apostle Eric Kwabena Nyamekye, delivered a message urging Ghanaians to prioritize peace and harmony.
Additionally, he cautioned against the potential dangers of election monetization in the country, emphasizing its capability to undermine the democracy enjoyed by the nation.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has declared that the use of indelible ink will be obsolete in the upcoming district-level election and subsequent polls.
Indicating a departure from traditional methods, the EC Chair, Jean Mensa, stated during a press conference ahead of the December 19 district-level election that this decision is part of the Commission’s efforts to enhance the electoral process and establish a robust identification system.
Jean Mensa emphasized that with the introduction of biometric technology, the need for indelible ink has diminished.
In the absence of indelible ink, the biometric identification system becomes pivotal in preventing double voting.
“The issue of indelible ink, the question is when we were not doing biometric we were basically using your face, your card. We look at your face and we say this picture looks like you.
“The biometric technology makes it difficult for a person who has been verified and cast their vote to come a second time. So, there is no need for indelible ink. Once you have been verified, it goes into the system and you cannot come back a second time,” she said.
She explained that once a voter has been verified and cast their vote, the system records the information, making it impossible for that individual to vote again.
Previously, facial recognition and card verification were employed, but the advent of biometric technology has significantly enhanced the security and efficiency of the electoral process.
The biometric system effectively identifies and flags any attempts at multiple registrations, ensuring the integrity of the voting system.
Expressing confidence in the efficacy of the new system, Jean Mensa challenged anyone attempting to vote twice to test the system’s capabilities, noting that such actions would be deemed electoral offenses.
She reiterated that the biometric technology recognizes facial features and fingerprints, making it foolproof against attempts at casting multiple votes.
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has declared that indelible ink will not be used in the district-level election and subsequent polls.
Indelible ink, a semi-permanent dye applied to voters’ fingerprints, is traditionally used to indicate that a person has cast their vote and to prevent double voting.
Jean Mensa, the chairperson of the EC, announced this decision at a press conference preceding the district-level election scheduled for December 19.
The omission of indelible ink is presented as part of the Commission’s efforts to enhance the electoral process and establish a more robust identification system.
“The issue of indelible ink, the question is when we were not doing biometric we were basically using your face, your card. We look at your face and we say this picture looks like you.”
“The biometric technology makes it difficult for a person who has been verified and cast their vote to come a second time. So, there is no need for indelible ink. Once you have been verified, it goes into the system and you cannot come back a second time,” she said.
Jean Mensa, has stated that the biometric identification system in place will identify and flag anyone attempting multiple registrations. This, she emphasized, ensures that individuals who have already been verified and cast their ballots cannot vote again.
Jean Mensa expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the new system and issued a challenge, daring anyone to attempt voting twice to test the system’s capability.
“Once you have been verified, it goes into the system and you cannot come back a second time. You can try it, if you wish at this election. Of course, it will be deemed as an electoral offence. Because of biometric technology your facial features are recognised, or your fingerprint is recognised. You cannot go a second time,” she added.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has urged political parties to adhere to constitutional guidelines, specifically Article 248, clause 2, which prohibits them from endorsing or campaigning for candidates in the upcoming District Level Elections (DLE).
In an interview with JoyNews the Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, emphasized the importance of the DLE as a fundamental aspect of grassroots democracy.
He urged political parties not to sponsor or intervene in the campaign process, allowing candidates to stand on their individual merits.
Concerns about low voter turnout persist, with some expressing disillusionment over perceived community stagnation despite years of voting. Dr. Quaicoe called on Ghanaians to participate in the December 19 elections.
DLEs are held every four years, with the next elections scheduled for 2025 in Nkoranza North and South in the Bono East regions.
The EC’s schedule includes receiving nominations on November 16-17, posting the notice of poll from November 29 to December 4, and providing a campaign platform from December 1 to 14.
The elections are set for Tuesday, December 19, 2023.
Government has affirmed its commitment to fiscal prudence in the upcoming year, assuring that measures have been implemented to enforce financial discipline.
A key pledge is the government’s determination to avoid overspending in the 2024 elections, countering predictions by the Minority in Parliament. The Minority anticipated that the government might exceed its budget to fulfill unplanned campaign promises during the election period.
However, Deputy Finance Minister Abena Osei Asare, in her debate on the budget presentation, stated that the government’s strategy includes refraining from initiating new commercially loan-funded projects in 2024. This move aligns with their commitment to live within their financial means.
“In the past, governments have used election year as auctioning periods, engaging in all kinds of projects to win votes. But this government is committing itself to strong fiscal consolidation and efficient management of existing commitments, in order not to derail the hard-won stability that we are witnessing.”
“Government is not initiating new commercial loan funded projects. Government has also put in an amount of money in the budget to clear their arrears so that we can complete existing projects,” the Deputy Finance Minister assured.
However, the Minority in Parliament claims that records indicate that the government’s 2020 budget deficit was 17% as a result of the elections.
John Jinapor, the Yapei-Kusawgu member of parliament, stated, “You said that you have a track record in election year expenditure. For the records, in 2016, go and read the updated data; the deficit was about 6 percent.”
“Mr. Speaker, I refer to the IMF-Ghana decision May 2023 documents; I refer to page 36, table 2 (A). In 2020, under your regime, election year, your deficit was a whopping 17 percent. It has never happened; no country has that deficit of 17 percent.”
Madagascar is having a presidential vote even though the opposition is not participating because of protests.
A curfew was announced in the city at night to stop any problems.
There is a lot of disagreement in politics right now, and the opposition wants Andry Rajoelina to be removed from office.
There have been six weeks of protests, where people who disagree with the government have fought with the police.
Angelo Ravelonarivo, a police chief in the capital city of Antananarivo, said the curfew was put in place because of different acts of sabotage, like setting fire to a polling station.
Opposition leaders say Mr. Rajoelina is being unfairly supported and should not be allowed to run because he became a French citizen in 2014.
However, many people are standing in line at voting places in areas that are in favor of him and his party.
There were not many people at the polling stations in areas where the opposition is strong. There were only a few security guards in Antananarivo.
This happened when 10 out of 12 people running against each other in the election said they were worried the election might not be fair. They asked people not to vote in the election. Roland Ratsiraka, a candidate who was protesting, told the AFP news agency that the elections were a “fraud” and a “joke” for Madagascar.
Mr Rajoelina wants to be president for a third time. He said it’s against the law to stop people from voting.
He voted in Antananarivo’s north neighborhood Atmobe with his family.
A few people tried to stop others from voting freely. Rajoelina said that people can choose not to vote, but it’s important for everyone to vote.
Rija Ralijaona, a 26-year-old worker, said she thinks whoever wins should make less people without jobs and make more jobs for young people.
The country has a lot of cobalt, gold, nickel, uranium, and other minerals stored.
The next leader will need to help with lots of problems, like poverty.
Madagascar has about 30 million people, but only 11 million are allowed to vote.
Voting began at 6:00 in the morning and will end at 5:00 in the evening on Thursday.
Mr Rajoelina quit his job in September so he could try to be re-elected. He says he doesn’t agree with the complaints from other leaders and he is sure he will win again.
According to AFP, his government has said the protests are because people want to take over the power and ruin the election.
It has also said that the opposition is “making the country less stable. ”
At first, the Senate president was supposed to replace Mr. Rajoelina, but he said no. This left the decision to a group of government leaders led by the prime minister, who is considered a friend of Rajoelina.
Many people are mad that Mr. Rajoelina can run for office because he has French citizenship as well as Malagasy citizenship, even though the Constitutional Court said it’s okay.
After becoming a leader in 2009, Mr Rajoelina became the youngest leader in Africa.
He did not run in the election in 2013, but he was elected again in 2018.
Contrary to the simplified notion that choosing a running mate is solely the decision of the Presidential Candidate, the reality is far more intricate.
The NPP’s constitution, specifically Article 12(b), delineates the criteria for selecting a running mate, emphasizing Ghanaian citizenship and party membership. The nomination of the Vice Presidential Candidate is a collaborative effort between the presidential candidate and the National Council.
Conventionally, the presidential candidate presents their choice to the National Council, currently overseen by Hackman Owusu-Agyemang.
The candidate must also justify their selection before the National Executive Committee, a pivotal force in the campaign.
If the National Council rejects the proposal, the candidate is compelled to choose an alternative, with the National Council holding the authority to approve or disapprove running mate nominations.
Preventing potential party division is a paramount consideration, and consensus-building precedes these crucial decisions. A historical example is from 2008 when Akufo Addo’s proposal of Hajia Alui Mahama was rejected by the National Council, including John Agyekum Kufour. Subsequently, Bawumia was suggested by the National Council, highlighting the importance of achieving a balance between a technocrat and a career politician.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia
To be eligible for the position of Vice Presidential Candidate in the NPP, an individual must have actively participated as a party member for a minimum of five years and be nominated twelve months before general elections in situations where the party is not in government or the incumbent president is not the candidate. The National Council retains the authority to waive this requirement under special circumstances. Additionally, the nominee must fulfill the age and citizenship criteria specified in Article 62 of the 1992 Constitution, mandating that the Vice President must be a Ghanaian and aged 40 or older.
Historically, a North-South/South-North pattern has been evident in winning political power throughout the Fourth Republic. Apart from the Jerry-John Rawlings –Arkaah-Atta Mills duo in 1992 and 1996, presidential aspirants and their running mates have not exclusively hailed from a single geographical block.
Political scientist Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante has therefore advised Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the NPP’s flagbearer, to strategically select a running mate from the Ashanti region.
“If you look at this, we have started hearing arguments and conversation about the fact that it will be given to somebody from the Ashanti region – I support that call… For the Ashanti region, the mainstay of the NPP, if you pick a running mate from that place it’s good. But the issue is that the criteria people are talking about, even though I have not heard from the party because I know this decision ought to come from NEC and National Council with the support of the candidate concerned, so it’s not a very simple matter.”Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante
Bawumia Must Search Manhyia’s Stool Room
“Multiple names have surfaced in the media regarding the selection process. However, the final decision rests with the National Executive Committee and the National Council.
The Ashanti region, boasting a substantial voter base, is deemed pivotal for the NPP’s success. In the 2020 election, out of the total 17,029,971 valid voters on the Ghanaian register, the Ashanti Region accounted for 3,529,181 voters, second only to the region with 3,020,141 voters. Safeguarding the bandwagon effect of party loyalty in the Ashanti region is considered crucial for the NPP.
Napo(right) and Bawumia(left)
Dr. Arthur Kennedy’s book, “Chasing the Elephant into the Bush,” highlights that approximately half a million NPP voters in the Ashanti region refrained from voting in the 2008 election due to the absence of an Ashanti candidate. Considering Alan’s influence, leaving Ashanti without representation on the 2024 ballot poses an unimaginable threat to the NPP in the Ashanti region, risking potential losses.
Moreover, many analysts argue that to sustain the NPP’s dominance in Ashanti, selecting a running mate from Manhyia is crucial. Manhyia symbolizes the seat of the Ashanti empire, and garnering support from the royal family is essential for achieving a higher voter turnout in Ashanti. Additionally, such a nomination is likely to secure the backing of the “Gentle Giant,” John Agyekum Kufour, who is also a member of the Ashanti royal family.
Therefore, exploring the potential candidates within the rich heritage of Manhyia remains the NPP’s sole option.
The ongoing lobbying involves several names, including Opoku Prempeh, Adutwum, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, Frema Opare, and Ursula Owusu, among others. Opoku Prempeh, being a son of the stool, is particularly favored for the role due to his perceived ability to secure the Ashanti vote. His constituency, Manhyia South, demonstrated strong support for Bawumia by voting 85.5% in his favor.
However, the decision must also take into account the choice of the National Democratic Congress’ John Mahama. Many analysts speculate that Mahama intends to retain his 2020 running mate, Jane Nana Opoku Agyemang, as the pair has made numerous joint appearances at events.
The complexities are manifold, necessitating the Presidential Candidate to prioritize qualities such as complementarity, loyalty, and minimal baggage in selecting a candidate who can deliver electoral victory in 2024, and nothing else!
Many people have been voting in Mizoram and Chhattisgarh as important state elections started in India.
They are one of five states having elections from November 7 to November 30. Vote counting has to be done by 3 December.
These surveys are considered as an early indication of the upcoming national elections in the following year.
Experts believe that they will provide information on how well the ruling and opposing parties will do in the upcoming 2024 general election.
This month, there are also elections in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the north of India, and Telangana in the south.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), only holds power in Madhya Pradesh. The Congress party is in charge of governing Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, and they are not the ruling party at the moment.
Voting started on Tuesday morning in Mizoram and 20 areas in Chhattisgarh.
At 1:00 PM IST (7:30 AM GMT), 44. 5% of voters in Chhattisgarh and 52. 73% of voters in Mizoram had cast their votes.
This is the first vote in the country’s north-eastern area after fighting between different ethnic groups broke out in Manipur state in May. More than 200 people have died in the fights.
Manipur, a state that borders Mizoram, is under the control of the BJP political party. Around 12,000 people who were forced to leave their homes because of the violence have relocated to Mizoram since May, according to information provided by the government.
Last month, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga gave an interview to the BBC’s Jugal Purohit. He criticized the way the BJP is dealing with the crisis and stated that he would not stand on the same platform as PM Modi during his election campaigns.
Mr Zoramthanga’s political party, the Mizo Nationalist Front (MNF), is competing against the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and the Congress Party in the election as it tries to regain power.
In Chhattisgarh, the ruling Congress party is competing against the BJP. The state is one of just four states where the Congress is in control.
The party has revealed many plans to help women, farmers, and tribal communities in the state during its election campaign.
Twelve out of the 20 seats that were voted on Tuesday were in the Bastar region. This area is controlled by Maoist rebels. Many extra soldiers were sent to make sure everything was safe.
Before the voting on Tuesday, a soldier who is a part of a military group got hurt in a blast. The blast was believed to be caused by the rebels according to the police. The incident took place in the Sukma region of the state.
According to news agency ANI, three security personnel were hurt in a gunfight with the rebels in a different area of the district.
Some 35 members of the New Patriotic Party in the Asokwa Constituency who were under the impression that their names were in the party’s register for the 2023 presidential primaries had the shock of their lives when they turned up at the voting centre only to realize that their names were not in the voters’ register.
One of them, expressing his frustration, spoke to TV3. According to him, he believed that he had the right to vote, he skipped his mother-in-law’s burial to come to the voting centre only to be met with the news that his name was on the list.
According to the man, he has been a long-term member of the party and even committed his personal funds for the payment of school fees of party members and other party initiatives.
“I participate in every activity of the party in the constituency. People queue up every morning at my house to ask for school fees. If I tell you how much I invest in the party, you’d be shocked.
“My mother-in-law is lying in bed, and I had to be there before she is buried but I’m here. I got here only to be told that my name is not on the register. They can either allow me cast my vote or they will repay all the investment I have made in the party”, he fumed while speaking to TV3.
Meanwhile, police has restored calm at a polling station in the Asokowa Constituency after 35 members of the party discovered that their names were not on the register.
The Delegate bore charlie. Them omit ein name from the Electoral book so man can’t vote today.
Zimbabwe’s top opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa, says his party won’t take part in upcoming elections to fill 15 parliamentary seats. He believes these elections are unlawful because the current members were removed from parliament in a questionable way.
The seats were empty because a man, who claimed to be the temporary leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party, announced that the MPs were not part of the party anymore.
As a result, there will be by-elections on 9 December because the parliamentary speaker said the seats were empty earlier this month.
Mr Chamisa said that he doesn’t agree with the removal of the lawmakers. He called Sengezo Tshabangu an imposter for claiming to be the party’s secretary-general.
During an interview on Wednesday, Mr. Chamisa stated that his party will not take part in the “unconstitutional” by-elections because he believes it would be a waste of time.
“He said that we don’t do any illegal activities. ”
A court will listen to a case about whether the Members of Parliament (MPs) can be removed from their positions on November 2nd.
Government officials and opposition representatives from Venezuela have agreed to a plan that sets the foundation for fair presidential elections that everyone agrees should happen.
The government said they will ask other countries to come and watch the election happening later in 2024.
The 2018 election was thought to be unfair. The agreement was made in Barbados.
The agreement is a special achievement after 11 months of no progress in the talks.
However, experts say that it does not solve the problems that the opposition has been trying to fix.
There is no talk about freeing political prisoners or allowing certain opposition candidates to participate in the 2024 election.
The US, EU, Canada, and UK welcomed an agreement in Venezuela as an important step towards restoring democracy. They believe it is crucial for inclusive discussions to continue.
But it’s important to note that there is still a lot of work to be done. The statement asks for the immediate release of all people who have been unfairly arrested, for elections to be fair and independent, for the courts to be fair and independent, for freedom of speech (including for journalists), and for people to be treated with dignity and have the right to participate in politics.
The agreement signed on Tuesday has 12 points. These points include promises to make sure all candidates can use public and private media, and to ensure they can move freely and safely across the country.
The two groups have agreed to update the lists of voters, both in Venezuela and other countries, so that Venezuelans who have moved away can still vote.
However, there is already a disagreement about the qualifications that candidates need to have in order to run for the presidency.
The paper states that anyone who meets the requirements set by the constitution can register for the presidential election.
The leader of the opposition group, Gerardo Blyde, said that this could give a chance for opposition candidates who have been prevented from holding positions to “regain their rights. ”
However, the head of the government team, Jorge Rodríguez, seemed to say something different. He said that people who were not allowed to be candidates by the comptroller-general would not be allowed to participate in the 2024 election.
The problem is very controversial because many well-liked opposition leaders have been banned by the comptroller-general, who is a close friend of President Maduro.
One of the candidates in Sunday’s election to choose someone to represent the opposition in the 2024 election is believed to be María Corina Machado, who is considered the top contender. The 56-year-old ex-legislator has said no to leaving the competition. She believes that if she becomes the opposition candidate on Sunday, the Maduro government will have to give in and allow her to participate.
The government hasn’t officially said who they will choose as their candidate, but many people think Mr. Maduro will run again.
The Maduro government wants the deal on Tuesday to help reduce the strict rules imposed by the US, which became stricter after his win in 2018. The US says his victory was not fair or valid.
The United States is very interested in resolving the crisis in Venezuela because a lot of Venezuelans have been forced to leave their country due to the bad economy, and many of them are going to the United States.
Venezuela has a lot of oil, more than any other country. If the US eases up on the restrictions they have on Venezuela’s oil industry, it would help both countries’ economies.
Poland’s top military leaders have stepped down right before an important election and while the war in Ukraine is happening nearby.
The top military leaders, General Rajmund Andrzejczak and General Tomasz Piotrowski, did not explain why they made their decision.
According to the news, people are concerned that the right-wing government is trying to use the military for political purposes before the upcoming general elections on Sunday.
The government says the claim is not true.
It also denies claims from Poland’s opposing party and the European Union that it is using the country’s courts for political gain and restricting media rights.
General Rajmund Andrzejczak has handed in his resignation. His spokesperson, Col Joanna Klejszmit, informed the AFP news agency that this happened on Monday.
“She said that he has the right to quit his job without explaining why, just like any other soldier. ”
Gen Piotrowski also quit his job.
Poland’s popular newspaper, The Daily Rzeczpospolita, said that two military leaders were arguing with Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. They disagreed about how politics were influencing the military, and there was also a dispute over a Russian missile that flew over Poland last year.
In May, Mr Blaszczak mentioned that Gen Piotrowski did not tell him in December that the missile entered Poland from Belarus and flew a long way before crashing in a forest.
The missile was found in April by someone who is not part of the government, which made the minister feel very embarrassed.
Mr Blaszczak and the two generals have not said anything publicly about the Rzeczpospolita report.
On Sunday, people in Poland will be voting in a very important election, according to opposition leader Donald Tusk. He says it is their most important election since 1989 when communism ended.
The United Right coalition, which is led by the Law and Justice party under the leadership of Jaroslaw Kaczynski, is trying to stay in power for a third time.
However, the difference between the right and centre has become smaller after a very bitter election campaign.
Poland has been a strong supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s big invasion started in February 2022. They have taken in over a million Ukrainian refugees and given Kyiv weapons worth more than $3 billion.
However, the campaign against a Polish ban on Ukrainian grain imports has caused strain in the relationship.
More than 2.4 million Liberian citizens will on Tuesday October 10, participate in elections to choose their president and members of the legislature.
Currently, there are 19 candidates vying for the presidency, with the incumbent President George Weah of the Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC) seeking a second six-year term.
Among the leading contenders are former Vice President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and businessman Alexander Cummings. Both Boakai and Cummings were previously part of a four-party opposition alliance known as the Coalition of Political Parties (CPP).
However, the coalition has since disbanded due to reported disagreements over the allocation of the presidential ticket for this election cycle.
Additionally, Tiawan Gongloe, a renowned human rights lawyer and law professor, is in the race representing the Liberian People’s Party.
Gongloe previously served as the country’s solicitor general during the administration of former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who made history as Africa’s first elected female leader in 2006.
However, gender inclusivity in politics remains a challenge in many parts of the continent, including Liberia. Out of the 20 presidential contenders in Tuesday’s election, only two are women, one of whom is Sara Nyanti, a former deputy special representative in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.
George Weah
Running for a second term, President Weah has confidently stated his intention to secure an outright victory in the initial round of elections. Weah has held the presidency since 2017 and is seeking re-election as the candidate for the Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC).
Weah’s running mate remains the current vice president, Jewel Howard-Taylor, who was previously married to former president Charles Taylor, now serving a 50-year sentence for crimes against humanity committed in neighboring Sierra Leone, in a British prison.
At 57 years old, Weah is banking on his track record, citing achievements such as the implementation of a tuition-free program for undergraduate students at public universities in 2018. His government also covers the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) fees for 9th and 12th graders in public schools.
Additionally, the administration has expanded access to electricity and reduced costs from 38 cents per kilowatt to an average of 15 cents per kilowatt. The government has undertaken several road construction projects across the country.
However, critics argue that corruption has been pervasive during Weah’s tenure. They also highlight concerns about the state of the economy and the rising cost of food, which led to protests in December of the previous year and in June of 2019, reflecting what they perceive as government shortcomings.
In his manifesto, President Weah pledges to decrease out-of-pocket expenses for medical care through the establishment of a mandatory social health insurance scheme. He also commits to providing off-the-grid solar energy for public hospitals and secondary schools.
Furthermore, his promises include creating sustainable employment opportunities by formalizing artisanal and small-scale mining activities and providing training in sexual and gender-based violence for public prosecutors.
Joseph Boakai
With decades of experience within Liberia’s public sector, Joseph Nyuma Boakai enjoys extensive name recognition and is now setting his sights on the presidency as a candidate for the Unity Party (UP). The 78-year-old previously held the position of Minister of Agriculture from 1983 to 1985 and served as Vice President from 2006 to 2018 under President Johnson-Sirleaf.
In this election year, Boakai has forged an alliance with the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR), a party founded by former warlord-turned-senator Prince Johnson. Consequently, Boakai has selected MDR senator Jeremiah Koung as his running mate. Both Johnson and Koung originate from and hold significant sway in Nimba, the country’s second most populous county. Notably, MDR had previously formed an alliance with the CDC in 2017, supporting the CDC in the second round of elections that ultimately led to George Weah’s victory. This alliance dissolved in 2022 due to Johnson’s complaints about the lack of job opportunities for his constituency.
For many observers, Boakai’s second bid for the presidency represents a rematch with Weah, as both candidates faced off in the 2017 elections. Neither candidate secured the required absolute majority in the first round, leading to a runoff election, which Weah ultimately won.
Drawing on his extensive experience, Boakai has prioritized agriculture as a central campaign issue, pledging to boost domestic rice production and establish three agricultural machinery hubs within the country. He has also committed to improving infrastructure by paving highways that connect county capitals and facilitate cross-border trade with neighboring countries.
Additionally, the former vice president has promised to collaborate with the legislature to establish a specialized court to expedite cases related to corruption and economic crimes. He also intends to support the private sector in developing initiatives to recycle solid waste into renewable energy.
Nonetheless, critics have raised concerns about Boakai’s age, arguing that, at 78 years old, he may be too elderly to effectively govern. Boakai has denied facing health challenges, despite such allegations.
Alexander Cummings
Alexander Cummings initially gained prominence in Liberian politics when he ran for the presidency in 2017, securing fifth place in the election. This year, he is once again vying for the presidency as a candidate of the Collaborating Political Party (CPP), a coalition consisting of Cummings’ Alternative National Congress and the Liberty Party.
At 57 years of age, Cummings brings a wealth of corporate experience to his political career. He served as the head of Coca-Cola’s African subsidiary from 2001 to 2008 and subsequently held the position of global Chief Administrative Officer until his retirement in 2016.
During his tenure at Coca-Cola, Cummings played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Africa Foundation, which contributed significantly to the continent’s response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. In recognition of his humanitarian efforts, he was honored with Liberia’s highest national distinction, the Humane Order of African Redemption, by President Johnson-Sirleaf in 2011.
Cummings has anchored his campaign on the goal of diversifying Liberia’s economy. To achieve this, he has pledged to create a $20 million empowerment fund within his first 100 days in office, aimed at supporting women, youth-owned businesses, and farmers. Additionally, he plans to temporarily freeze all existing taxes and regulations for review to foster a more business-friendly environment. He has also advocated for a “buy Liberian” policy to prioritize the purchase of locally-made products, thereby stimulating indigenous businesses.
Furthermore, Cummings has expressed his support for the establishment of a war crimes court to prosecute key individuals involved in Liberia’s civil wars of 1989-1997 and 1999-2003.
Numerous websites that emerged during Nigeria’s February 2023 elections, as uncovered by the BBC, are disseminating false information and gaining substantial visibility.
They create untrue stories mixed with real news about sports, entertainment, and politics. Some of them even publish up to 700 pieces per month. They also like or criticize politicians in Nigeria.
Nearly seven months have passed since the intense elections took place. However, the country is still greatly split, as seen in the response to the recent verdict regarding the opposition’s objection to the election results.
These websites are spreading false information that could be making these divisions worse.
Lawyer Mojirayo Ogunlana recalls seeing unfamiliar stories on Twitter, which are now called X, from websites she had not encountered before, during the period before the elections. Many people were also joining her WhatsApp groups. She said there was a lot of fake news and it was too much to handle. Almost every day, false information was being spread on social media. “It made me lose trust,” Ms. Ogunlana explains
Mayowa Tijani, who studies false information, keeps track of how popular websites are becoming. He says that their stories became widely talked about during the elections and had a noticeable effect. He says that they keep spreading untrue stories.
Now, if one website makes up a false story, it is likely that other websites will share it and it becomes popular on social media. “They assist in pushing it further, causing it to go offline and spread even more. Eventually, it becomes the main story,” he explains.
The BBC Global Disinformation Team looked at three new websites: Podium Reporters, which was made in 2021, Reportera, which was made in July 2022, and Parallel Facts, which was made in May 2023. Tijani said there was a reason for creating them at those specific times. During the campaign and afterwards, all three main candidates had false news stories about them published on the websites we studied.
Bola Tinubu, a member of the ruling APC party, became president after winning a close election with 37% of the total votes. The candidates who came in second and third place, Atiku Abubakar of the PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, are still disputing his election. Last week, the election tribunal said no to their complaints. However, they plan to take their case to the Supreme Court.
Politicians also told stories from the internet to gain more popularity. Festus Keyamo, who is currently the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, shared many stories from Podium Reporters during the elections.
Mr Obi joined two Twitter discussions called Twitter Spaces with Parallel Facts. In one of these discussions, the website’s activity increased from less than 10,000 mentions to 40,000 mentions between May and July 2023.
The website belongs to Kingsley Izuchukwu Okafor, who says he is interested in technology, public relations, and standing up against “bad governance” on his social media profiles. He has previously posted a picture of Peter Obi, saying “Obi is the man”.
The slogan of the website is “We don’t use misleading headlines, false information, or propaganda”. However, what we discovered is different.
Between 19 June and 15 July, the BBC found many news stories with lies on the website Parallel Facts. A news article published on 27 June said that Yakubu Mahmood, who leads Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec), was attempting to unlawfully give the APC political party 25% of the votes in Abuja.
However, there is no proof that Inec or Mr. Mahmood changed the election results in the capital as they were accused of.
Even though fact-checking agencies have proven that many untrue stories like this are not true, they still continue to be shown or not corrected. A place in Nigeria where newspapers were being sold, before the final results of the presidential election were told to the public.
Reportera is a website that supports and has a political preference for the Labour Party. In a tweet that they have made important, they state that they do not accept or acknowledge Mr. Tinubu’s government
In just one month, the website shared four stories that were proven to be untrue. One of these stories said that President Tinubu came in third place during the election.
It also gave wrong information about a BBC investigation on the vote. In a story that was published on June 28, Reportera stated that the BBC found evidence that voters were prevented from voting and said that Mr Tinubu couldn’t be declared the winner.
But the BBC investigation did not reach that conclusion. This means that in certain areas in Rivers State, the number of votes for the Labour Party decreased, and the votes for the APC increased.
The BBC used information from Inec’s results-viewing portal to show that the Labour Party should have received the most votes in the state, not Mr. However, we didn’t have any proof that this happened in other parts of the country, so we couldn’t say that he shouldn’t have won the election.
The story mentioned that Reportera did a “review”, but it didn’t explain how it figured out that Mr Obi supposedly won. Instead, it referred to a poll on Twitter where 93% out of 31,000 people said that Mr Obi was the winner of the election.
Recently, the person who owns the website, Nnamdi Ibezim, confessed in a statement that they posted a story that was “based on a rumor”. On social media, Mr. Ibezim says he is a business person who has knowledge in many different areas.
According to his website’s story, published on August 6th, it was said that the former Minister of Works and Housing in Nigeria, Babatunde Fashola, was assisting judges of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal in writing verdicts that favored the APC.
Mr Fashola later said that he wrote a letter to the Police Inspector General complaining about Repotera for making false claims and cyberstalking. Ibezim said that his brother, Chike Ibezim, got arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) because of an article he published. Ibezim stated that the arrest was against the rules of the country’s constitution.
The Nigerian Police said they caught Chike Ibezim.
First, he says that it seemed like the websites were trying to support specific candidates in the election. However, he thinks that the publishers also wanted to make money from advertisements on their websites.
We talked to experts in the media industry to find out how much money these websites could be earning.
According to IT and Digital Marketing consultant Yusufuddeen A Yusuf, they can earn a monthly income ranging from $100 to $10,000 (£80 to £8,000).
“He says that stories that get a lot of attention will bring in a lot of visitors, which leads to a lot of money from advertisements. ”
But according to Adebayo Ilupeju, a consultant at Africa Media Works who focuses on digital media and public relations, these websites may not be making money yet because they are still relatively new. “It’s a way to put money into something,” he says.
We contacted Podium Reporters, Reportera, and Parallel Facts. They ignored our emails asking about the untrue news on their websites and how much money they earn from ads.
At the same time, the website Podium Reporters shares positive stories about the ruling APC.
On 4 July, 2023, an article was published giving an opinion about the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), a group that wants to separate from Nigeria and has been declared a terrorist organization by the government.
It had a lot of untrue accusations. For instance, it stated that Ipob officially chose Mr Obi as their candidate. The Podium Reports often link Mr. Obi with Ipob in their stories. We found seven instances of this in a month.
BothObi and his party say they have no connection to Ipob, and the group has never publicly supported him.
We couldn’t prove that Podium Reporters belongs to someone.
Spokesperson for Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s campaign, Nana Akomea, has quashed claims that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), George Akuffo Dampare, has the potential of influencing the outcome of an election.
In a time of engagement with the media on KROKOKOOO, Nana Akomea explained that there had been several case where the police service voted against the ruling party at at a particular time.
Hence, he said, “I don’t agree with the narrative that an IGP can influence elections. I won’t agree to it today and I wont agree tomorrow. I have explained to you that the IGP is just one person, and at a time when the NDC was in power, even the votes of police officers were against the government of the time. So…IGP…even the votes of police officers kraa he can’t influence it, talk less of influencing the vote of you and I.”
He asserted that even in the time of the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), John Kudalor, “his government suffered the worst defeat than any government in the fourth republic.
“So if an IGP is capable of influencing votes, the evidence is against it. Some people are saying that the IGP was the cause of defeat in Assin North, but how about Kumawu. It doesn’t make sense! That assertion does not make sense! That the IGP caused the NPP’s defeat in Assin? How about Kumawu? Isn’t it the same IGP…or he travelled? I say it does not make sense. Even the electoral commissioner cannot influence votes, neither can the IGP,” Mr. Akomea explained.
Meanwhile, a private legal practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has called for the authority to appoint an Inspector General of Police (IGP) to be removed from the president of the country.
He argued that the police service tends to become politically biased when officers believe that their promotion or appointment depends on the ruling political party.
Lawyer Martin Kpebu made these remarks during a discussion on the weekend edition of The Keypoints on TV3, as the panel deliberated on the leaked audio discussing the potential removal of IGP Dampare by COP Alex Mensah, Bugri Naabu, and Supt. Asare.
Commissioner of Police, George Alex Mensah, provided insights into how clandestine activities can potentially result in adverse political consequences during elections.
During his testimony before Parliament on Thursday, August 31, 2023, regarding the leaked tape concerning a political plot to remove Inspector-General of Police, George Akuffo Dampare, COP Mensah was directed to specific segments of the recording where he mentioned “mafia work” in the context of elections.
In the course of questioning, National Democratic Congress lawmaker James Agalga inquired further on this topic.
“When you give indication in the audio that as for election it is about mafia work, can you tell us what you mean by that?”
COP Mensah responded: “Honourable, I never said election is about mafia work. I said in elections, there is always some mafia work. I never said election is mafia work.
“What do I mean by that? During elections, if you don’t provide the needed security for persons to come out and vote peacefully and you allow people to come and disturb, snatch boxes at your strongholds, then you are ending in opposition, that is what I meant,” he stressed.
Regarding the aforementioned recording, Commissioner of Police George Alex Mensah acknowledged that he could recognize his own voice in certain sections of the tape. However, he also suggested that certain portions of the audio might have been tampered with or forged.
“I identify some voices that resemble mine but I cannot state specifically that these are my voices. I hear a voice that represents my voice but I can’t accept everything in the conversation.
“… the audio that I listened to here today is an edited version of the conversation that we had. And because of that, wholly this audio that we have listened to is not genuine,” he said.
President of Zimbabwe and the head of the ruling Zanu-PF party, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has exercised his voting right as the country’s elections commence on Wednesday. The President cast his vote in the company of the First Lady, Amai Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, at Sherwood Park Primary School located in Kwekwe city.
This presidential race has garnered the participation of 11 candidates, notably including the 80-year-old incumbent President, as well as the principal opposition leader, 45-year-old Nelson Chamisa. Chamisa leads the Citizen’s Coalition for Change (CCC) party.
The country’s economy has consistently been poor under the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) rule, according to Richard Ahiagbah, national communications director of the government’s New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He noted that the NDC took over a rising economy in 2009, but failed to manage it well, which resulted in a slowdown in the country’s development.
On Sunday, August 20, 2023, Ahiagbah brought up this subject in Ho while speaking with the media over breakfast.
Richard said, “In 2009 when they (NDC) came to office they inherited a growing economy what were they able to do with that? They will tell you in 2011 they’ve achieved 14 percent GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth yes that was on the back of the oil discovery that started production in 2010”.
The communications director further explained that “2012,2013,2014 and 2015 the economy of 14 percent deteriorated to 13.6 percent, no other point after 2011 was the NDC able to grow past 40 percent which was on the back of oil”.
Richard Ahiagbah, however, pronounced that “Any time the NDC is in power Ghana’s economy does worse and anytime NPP is in power the economy grows”.
He made references to the economy before the 2016 elections, saying “From 2011 to 2016 they (NDC) never grew the economy above what they’ve achieved but then immediately the management of the economy changed in 2017 this economy grew 8.2 percent from 3.4, just by merely changing those who are in charge from 2016 to 2017, we had almost about 5 percent growth”.
Zimbabweans are gearing up for an upcoming election scheduled for next week, with high hopes that it might finally bring an end to the country’s prolonged economic crisis. However, these aspirations are met with reservations due to concerns that the electoral competition might be biased in favor of a political party that has maintained its dominance for over four decades.
Once endowed with abundant mineral resources, Zimbabwe was formerly acknowledged as one of Africa’s thriving economies. However, its economic stability took a downturn in 2000 when former leader Robert Mugabe orchestrated the forceful appropriation of white-owned farms, resulting in the resettlement of land-deprived Black citizens.
In 2017, after 37 years in power, Mugabe was deposed through a military coup and succeeded by his longstanding ally, President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Despite optimistic expectations for an economic revival during that period, the desired turnaround has remained elusive.
The imminent election features a roster of 11 presidential candidates, yet the true competition materializes between 80-year-old Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa, a 45-year-old attorney and pastor who spearheads the opposition under the banner of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC). It’s noteworthy that this election encompasses not only the presidential race but also the selection of legislators and local council leaders.
The outcome of Mnangagwa’s triumph in the 2018 election faced unsuccessful challenges from the opposition. Analysts versed in political dynamics predict a potential recurrence of such disputes. While the ruling ZANU-PF party dismisses allegations from the opposition about an uneven playing field, doubts about the fairness of the election process linger.
“Of course, we are headed for another disputed election,” said political analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya, referring to a dispute over the voters roll as one contentious issue.
The Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) has initiated legal action against the electoral commission, seeking access to electronic versions of the voters’ roll to facilitate thorough searching and analysis.
The electoral commission’s response has been that printed versions of the roll have been furnished to all participating parties. The decision regarding the CCC’s request is still pending in court. This legal pursuit is among a series of court challenges undertaken by the opposition in anticipation of the upcoming election.
Furthermore, concerns about voter intimidation, particularly in the rural regions of the nation with a population of 15 million, have been raised by the Electoral Resource Centre (ERC), an organization monitoring the voting process.
“General public sentiment, as noted in several surveys, reveals that people have very little confidence in the electoral process as well as the election management body in the country,” ERC said in a statement on Monday.
Despite claims that they have primarily targeted opposition campaigns, police have halted some of the opposition’s gatherings and claim that they have done so for the sake of public safety.
The opposition also claims that ZANU-PF supporters have physically intimidated some of its activists and that its followers are frequently detained under Zimbabwe’s strict public order laws.
“The odds are many. We’ve also seen a number of our supporters being intimidated and harassed, but citizens remain defiant. People are ready and mobilised for change,” CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere told reporters on Wednesday.
ZANU-PF says it is not favoured by the courts, police or public media. At a news conference on Thursday, ZANU-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa denied allegations of voter intimidation and unfair electoral processes.
He accused the opposition of being “obsessed with criticising the electoral process so that they have something to say after losing”.
‘BAD’ HUMAN RIGHTS
Wilbert Mandinde, an official at the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, said the human rights situation “has been bad” during the campaign.
“We believe that it is not proper for members of the opposition to have to struggle to gather, to have to struggle to campaign,” said Mandinde.
Mnangagwa narrowly defeated Chamisa in the 2018 election, which the opposition disputed over alleged irregularities. The president’s victory was upheld by the Constitutional Court.
The opposition is hoping it can defy the odds and win this time, riding on frustrations over the longrunning economic crisis.
Political analysts say young voters who have never known a prosperous Zimbabwe could play a significant role in the election. One-sixth of the registered electorate are first-time voters.
The planned Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) elections, which was set to take place on August 8, 2023, has been rescheduled due to a restraining order issued by the Accra High Court.
Two MUSIGA members, namely Doe Kwablah Seyenam Nyamadi and Frederick Van Dyk, were the instigators of this legal proceeding.
In their formal request, they claim that the existing leadership of MUSIGA has violated the organization’s constitution by failing to furnish complete financial records.
As per the plaintiffs’ assertions, the absence of financial transparency renders the union ineligible to conduct elections and transition authority to a fresh executive body.
The court agreed with the plaintiffs and issued the interlocutory injunction, effectively suspending the elections until a complete hearing and resolution of the matter.
This development deals a significant setback to MUSIGA, which has encountered challenges in conducting its elections over the past few years.
The last election took place in 2014.
The uncertainty surrounding the election postponement raises concerns about MUSIGA’s future, leaving questions unanswered regarding the timing and feasibility of future elections.
In a statement to GhanaWeekend, Peter Marfo, the Chairman of the MUSIGA Election Committee, expressed regret for any inconveniences caused by the injunction to the union’s valued members, potential candidates, and its overall operations.
“With only 17 months remaining on the Roadmap timelines before the 2024 elections, I reiterate what I stated in an earlier press conference – 2023 is a critical ‘make or break’ year,” the head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Nicholas Haysom emphasised.
The world’s youngest nation is currently facing a “race against time” as it prepares for the elections amid escalating intercommunal violence and the spill-over effects of the crisis in its neighboring country to the north.
The elections, originally slated for February 2023, are crucial as they will mark the completion of South Sudan’s democratic transition after years of conflict.
Since gaining independence in July 2011, the nation has endured internal strife, which was ultimately resolved by a peace deal in 2018.
Mr. Haysom highlights that certain foundational tasks essential for a successful election process are still incomplete.
Among them is the reconstitution of three key bodies – the National Constitutional Review Commission, the National Elections Commission, and the Political Parties Council. Additionally, drafting a new Constitution requires consensus among parties and realistic expectations within the limited time and resource constraints.
The credibility of the electoral process is of utmost importance. To ensure legitimacy, political parties must be allowed to register and campaign freely, civil society should engage in civic education and act as observers, and the media must report on the process while providing space for diverse voices and opinions.
The ongoing crisis in Sudan has also impacted South Sudan, leading to increased food prices and scarcity due to reduced cross-border trade. With around 190,000 people seeking refuge in the country, the UNMISS appeals for $26.4 million to provide transportation for those arriving at the border.
This influx of people could potentially exacerbate existing tensions between communities, and UNMISS has increased patrols and military presence in Renk to prevent violence.
Addressing other critical issues, Mr. Haysom emphasizes UNMISS’s efforts to protect civilians in Malakal and respond proactively to escalations in Jonglei and Greater Pibor.
However, he stresses the need for South Sudan to foster trust between communities and their leaders, build a common purpose, and share a vision for the future.
Mr. Haysom believes that the international community will support the peace process and elections if the principal stakeholders demonstrate their commitment, and the necessary frameworks are established.
Urgent decisions regarding electoral, constitutional, and security structures are paramount to attract donors and international support, paving the way for a peaceful and secure South Sudan.
The UN mission in South Sudan has issued a warning, stating that the country is not adequately prepared to hold elections next year.
Originally scheduled for December 2024, these elections would mark the first democratic exercise in the world’s newest country, which gained independence from Sudan 12 years ago.
The prolonged and devastating civil war, along with a challenging peace process, has caused significant delays in conducting these crucial polls.
According to Nicholas Haysom, the head of the UN mission, analysts believe that South Sudan has not yet put in place the required infrastructure necessary for conducting fair and credible elections.
The current situation in the war-torn country raises concerns about the feasibility of holding elections as planned.
The candid and honest observation of most analysts, observers and stakeholders, is that as it stands today, South Sudan is not yet ready for elections. But that elections could be held on schedule if there is adequate political will, a practical approach to the arrangements and commensurate resources are applied to achieving the benchmarks and the roadmap.”
He further cautioned:
“I don’t think the elections will have the effect they should have if they are not transparent, if they are not free and they are not fair.”
“I don’t think the elections will have the effect they should have if they are not transparent, if they are not free and they are not fair.”
“Quote Message: “Then, simply, they will provide a basis for more conflict. It’s really important that we establish proper foundations for the elections.”
“Then, simply, they will provide a basis for more conflict. It’s really important that we establish proper foundations for the elections.”
In August, Zimbabwe will vote amid allegations of a stepped-up crackdown on the opposition and one of the highest rates of inflation in the world.
Despite the removal of longtime leader Robert Mugabe in 2017, many claim that not much has changed.
There are concerns in the lead-up to the election about how free and fair the voting will be in a nation that is attempting to repair its reputation.
When are the elections?
On August 23, Zimbabweans will cast ballots to choose a president, council members, and members of parliament. If there is no clear winner in the presidential election, a run-off will be held on October 2nd, six weeks from now.
Who is running for president?
Twelve candidates have been approved by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
This is far less than the 23 who ran in the previous election in 2018, no doubt as a result of the candidates’ increased expenses, which have gone from $1,000 (£800) to $20,000 (£16,000).
But two men are most likely to compete:
Current PresidentEmmerson Mnangagwa of the ruling Zanu-PF party Leader of the opposition Nelson Chamisa of the Citizen’s Coalition for Change Since Robert Mugabe was forced to step down by the military in 2017, Mr. Mnangagwa, 80, has been in charge of Zimbabwe. A year later, he won a contentious election. Before their breakup, he was Mugabe’s longtime ally.
Mr Chamisa, 45, came second in 2018, winning 44% of the vote. A 2020 court ruling stripped him of the leadership of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and he subsequently lost access to party assets and state funding.
He formed the CCC in 2022, remains hugely popular in urban areas and is the main face of the opposition.
Other contenders include Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC’s new leader and Elisabeth Valerio, the only female candidate.
She had been disqualified but successfully challenged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s decision to reject her nomination papers.
Saviour Kasukuwere, an exiled former Mugabe ally, has been barred from standing on the basis that he has been living outside the country for more than 18 months – a decision he is also challenging.
Who will win?
Zanu-PF has the advantage of incumbency, state power and access to state resources. The party, which has been in power since independence in 1980, also retains strong support in rural areas.
However with the economy in such a mess, many people, especially those in urban areas and the youth, think it is time for a change.
Rural voters normally turn out in huge numbers, unlike urban and youth voters, which could work against the opposition. The government has also refused to allow Zimbabweans living abroad to vote – which could also work against Mr Chamisa.
Image caption,This is the first general election that the CCC will be contesting
Polling so far has predicted different results, so it is hard to use that as a guide as to who may end up president.
Furthermore, human rights activists say that in the past Zanu-PF has used various tactics to stay in power, including violence and intimidation, state-media blackouts and negative coverage of the opposition. Zanu-PF has previously denied using dirty tricks against its opponents.
What are the main issues?
The cost-of-living crisis continues to be at the core of voters’ concerns, with the last three years having been some of the worst in a decade. In the 12 months leading up to May this year, prices rose by 86.5%, one of the highest annual inflation rates in the world.
Meanwhile, businesses are struggling to cope with crippling power outages and an unstable local currency, which lost 86% of its value between January and early June.
Allegations of corruption also remain a source of frustration, with a very low rate of prosecution. During the Covid pandemic, equipment was allegedly procured at inflated prices – the health minister was fired but then exonerated by the courts.
How do the elections work?
For members of parliament and council candidates, the election is won on a first-past-the-post basis – in other words the person who has the most votes.
In the presidential race, however, a candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to be declared the winner, otherwise there will be a run-off election between the top two.
When will we get the results?
By law the presidential election results must be announced within five days after voting ends.
Will they be free and fair?
Civil society groups and the opposition doubt that polls will be free or fair. They cite what they say has been a systemic crackdown on government critics.
The arrests and convictions of opposition figures and government critics has intensified over the last two years.
The electoral reforms that the opposition have demanded for years – to level the playing field, provide access to public media and remove ex-military personnel from the electoral body – have not happened.
CCC leader Mr Chamisa says more than 60 of the party’s meetings were banned, or disrupted by police during by-elections last year, prompting fears it will happen again.
As former Zimbabwean politician Jonathan Moyo put it, Zanu-PF will not “reform itself out of power”.
What happened in the last election in 2018?
This will be the second time Mr Mnangagwa and Mr Chamisa face each other.
Five years ago, the president won in the first round with 50.8% of the vote, but violence followed polling day in which six people were killed when security forces opened fire on protesters.
Observers generally commended the freedom of movement during the campaign period and relative peace on voting day, but the EU for example noted major shortcomings including state resources being misused in favour of the incumbent.
The EU said the final results as announced by the Electoral Commission contained numerous errors.
Mr Chamisa’s party failed in its legal challenge to have the result overturned after arguing that the presidential and parliamentary vote tallies were off by tens of thousands.
A former Chief Justice, Georgina Theodora Wood, made some observations about the 2024 federal elections.
She is worried that the process will be dominated by misinformation or that politicians would put policies and development concerns first.
When she spoke during the inauguration of a new District Governor for Rotary Club’s District 9104, she advised participants to prioritize development issues as a means of advancing.
“Only a year more, we will be preparing to go to the polls, once again to elect national leaders for this beautiful country. Do we wish to create hope for the future by channelling our energies and other resources to developmental issues?
“Or is it going to be another unending trend of pure propaganda as usual? It bears emphasis that deliberate falsehoods, misinformation and dishonesty have destroyed the reputation and homes of many,” she stressed.
Distinguished leaders and prominent dignitaries, including former President John Agyekum-Kufuor and Rotary International Director Patrick Chisanga, attended the investiture ceremony.
The Deputy Communication Director for the NDC, Malik Basintale, has confidently assured the NPP that the NDC would emerge victorious in the Assin North by-election, regardless of any efforts made by the opposing party to seize power.
Malik believes that nothing the New Patriotic Party will do will turn the hearts and minds of the Assin North constituents away from the National Democratic Party.
According to Malik Basintale, the NDC is unbothered about the monies and tokens the NPP is sharing to the constituents.
He added that the NPP could share human parts or free visas to heaven, but their fate of losing woefully in the by-election will not change.
The Communication Officer was speaking on the ‘Point of View’ on Citi TV.
“I can confidently say that even if the NPP decides to share human parts and free visas to heaven, we will defeat them in the by-election. I can confidently say that from where I am, we have been interrogating people, and interacting with them throughout the processes. We have availed ourselves to listen to their concerns. What we are able to solve we have solved, what we are able to improve upon we have done that,” Malik said.
The keenly contested race for the Assin North seat is between the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Charles Opoku and James Gyakye Quayson of the NDC whose seat in parliament has been in contention following nationality claims after he was voted as MP back in 2020.
Meanwhile, a new poll conducted by the Global InfoAnalytics has revealed that Charles Opoku, holds a slim advantage over James Gyakye Quayson in Tuesday’s by-election.
The poll which was conducted ahead of the by-election showed that some 45.6 percent of respondents expressed their desire to vote for James Gyakye Quayson, while 46.7 percent declared their intention to vote for Charles Opoku.
It further showed that some 6.9 percent of respondents remain undecided about the candidate to vote for who. This could prove pivotal in determining the final outcome of the election according to Global InfoAnalytics.
You can also watch this episode of People & Places here:
Why Akans head this Ghanaian group made up of 3 tribes, 5 clans | People & Places
In the last and final episode of People & Places with focus on the Ada People, Wonder Ami Adu-Asare and her guests put the spotlight on the chieftaincy system of this ethnic group
Founder and leader of Glorious Word and Power Ministry International, Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah, has distanced himself from a leaked audio tape that implicates him and President Akufo-Addo of Ghana in a murder conspiracy.
In mid-June, a social media audio tape surfaced, allegedly featuring Prophet Owusu Bempah’s voice, making damning revelations about President Akufo-Addo, the 2016 general elections, and issuing a strong warning to Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
The audio tape claimed that some people died or suffered accidents and amputations as part of a deliberate plot for President Akufo-Addo to assume power.
“Let him know that if it wasn’t for me Akufo-Addo couldn’t have become president. Tell him because Akufo-Addo became president, someone’s leg has been amputated… Someone’s car somersaulted on Tema Motorway, ask him if the time I met with Akufo-Addo he was there. Ask him if he knows the relationship I have with Akufo-Addo.
“Because of Akufo-Addo, a young guy named Albert who gathered NPP supporters to approach me had his car somersaulted on the Tema Motorway. It was so severe that they had to cut the car before retrieving his body,” a part of the audio said.
Addressing the Tema Motorway incident, Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah in his latest sermon, described the claim as spurious.
The man of God stated that “The part of the audio that indicated that I took President Akufo-Addo to Tema to kill someone is false. It is not my voice.”
Prophet Isaac Owusu Bempah, however, acknowledged that “I was the one who made the remarks regarding the IGP.”
In the said audio tape, Prophet Owusu Bempah noted that Dr Akuffo Dampare would deeply regret assuming the position of IGP and hinted at retaliating for the alleged mistreatment during his arrest and an alleged plot to assassinate him.
“Let him know that the two of us cannot be contained in Ghana. And tell him that I will show him that I made Akufo-Addo a sitting president before he was appointed as the IGP. Also, inform him that he cannot kill me or harm me in any way. Let him joke around, and he will see what I am capable of.”
“Tell him that I will never forgive him on this earth… the way he and Victor Kusi Boateng were coming to kill me in Kumasi. I have all the information. So, I am giving you this message. Inform him that I have already told Ernest Owusu Bempah and Chairman Wontumi. Chairman Wontumi doesn’t even pick up my calls. If you don’t pass on this message to Dampare, I will be disappointed in you. Tell Dampare that he will regret his position as IGP,” he added.
Background
Reverend Isaac Owusu Bempah was arrested on September 12, 2021, with four accomplices by the Ghana Police Service.
He was arrested for allegedly storming the home of converted fetish priestess Nana Agradaa, now referred to as Evangelist Patricia.
He was charged with offensive conduct conducive to breach of peace, threat of death, and assault of public officers.
He was later granted a GH¢200,000 bail on health grounds on September 15, 2021, with two sureties.
In the aftermath of a contentious campaign marked by violence, Sierra Leoneans are awaiting the results of the general election.
There was a high turnout, with voters telling the BBC the process was smooth despite ballots opening hours late in many areas.
There had been concern about potential clashes in the run up to the vote.
On Wednesday, the main opposition party alleged that one of its supporters was shot dead by police, which the police have denied.
Supporters of both main parties have been accused of attacking opponents.
Accusations of election irregularities were also being thrown on Saturday, after the leader of the opposition alleged ballot stuffing and voter suppression in some parts of the country.
However, the electoral body had insisted, in a press conference earlier this week, that they had mechanisms in place to ensure a fair vote. Local media reports that arrests were made.
The election is taking place against the background of a troubled economy, the rising cost of living, and concerns about national unity.
The voters are choosing a president, MPs and councillors in the West African country’s fifth election since the civil war ended in 2002.
The 11-year conflict cost an estimated 50,000 lives, but since then the country has a tradition of largely peaceful, free and credible elections, according to Marcella Samba Sesay, chairperson of the NGO National Elections Watch.
With strong party loyalty among the 3.3 million registered voters, the campaigns have focused on shoring up their parties’ bases rather than articulating and debating policy issues.
However, voters have told the BBC, they want to see concrete change in the country.
“I want a responsible government that will provide jobs, education, improve healthcare and also ensure food security. I expect the new President to work for the nation,” Solomon Beckley from Freetown said.
Who are the candidates?
President Julius Maada Bio, 59, of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is running for a second five-year term. His main rival among the 12 challengers is Dr Samura Kamara, 72, of the All People’s Congress (APC).
This is a repeat of the race in 2018, which saw Mr Bio narrowly win following a second round run-off.
How much violence has there been?
There has been an uptick in violence compared to five years ago, according to the West Africa Network for Peace-building Sierra Leone. It has counted 109 violent incidents since April.
This week, the APC said one person was killed by security forces as its supporters gathered for a protest at its headquarters in Freetown on Wednesday.
The police alleged the shots were fired from the direction of the APC building.
Dr Kamara has also said that his motorcade came under attack and there were reports that the APC office was set ablaze in the city of Bo last weekend.
The SLPP has said that it too has faced attacks in opposition strongholds.
President Bio has called for “peaceful elections” and “no violence”. The African Union has also expressed concerns over reported incidents of violence and intimidation in parts of the country.
Sierra Leoneans have been alarmed by campaigners’ rhetoric, the Reuters news agency reports.
“All I want is peace. I am scared by the high level of hatred I see being exhibited on social media by political extremists on both sides,” a student from Freetown who wanted to remain anonymous told Reuters.
What about women?
This election comes months after a landmark law which says women must make up 30% of all positions in both the public and private sector – including in parliament.
But analysis from Sierra Leone’s Institute for Government Reform (IGR) suggest the next parliament will fall short of this.
Parties have put forward lists of candidates running in each of the country’s districts to be elected on a proportional representation basis. But according to the IGR, not enough women are placed high enough on those lists to make sure the 30% threshold is crossed.
Out of the 13 candidates running for president only one is a woman – the little-known Iye Kakay.
How does the election work?
The APC has also expressed concerns about the transparency of the counting process and has cast doubt on the electoral commission’s ability to hold fair elections.
The commission has defended itself, saying measures have been put in place to ensure the credibility of the voting and counting process.
Results should be known within the next few days.
To be declared the winner of the presidential race, the leading candidate must secure 55% of the votes cast, otherwise a run-off will be held between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.
Additional reporting from Azeezat Olaoluwa in Lagos
To consolidate Ghana’s democracy, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has urged residents to take the district assembly idea, particularly the District Assembly and Unit Committee elections, seriously.
The district assembly concept is a key component of our democratic dispensation since it is designed to bring governance and tenets of democracy to the doorstep of the people
Madam Ophelia Ankrah, Eastern Regional Director of the National Commission on Civic Education, made the call during an engagement with the Ghana Police Service in Koforidua as part of the 2023 NCCE annual citizenship week celebration.
She emphasised the critical role of the Police and all other security agencies in Ghana’s democracy and advised the Police to always exhibit high levels of professionalism to gain public confidence.
In line with the mandate of the NCCE to educate citizens on their civic rights and responsibilities, she explained that the engagement with the Police was to deepen their knowledge on the constitution and once again remind them of their professional role as the district level and unit committee elections approached.
This year’s constitution week is on the theme, “Thirty years of Consolidating Constitutional Democracy: Building National Cohesion through Civic Education and Participation in Local Governance.”
The constitution Week celebration is one of the flagship programmes of the NCCE, instituted in 2001 to commemorate Ghana’s return to constitutional democratic rule.
Meanwhile, the New Juaben North office of the NCCE has also educated pupils of King Jesus School in Koforidua on their rights and responsibilities as children as part of the constitution week celebration.
Ebenezer Acheampong, New Juaben North NCCE Director told the pupils that respecting authorities including their parents and teachers was a national value that must be upheld at all times.
He said just as children have rights to be educated, to shelter, protection, and everything that guarantees their growth and safety, they also have a responsibility to obey authorities.
Acheampong admonished the pupils to stay away from social vices such as substance abuse, betting and gambling, cyber- crime, and others and focus on their education to become responsible adults.
In Kinshasa, police deployed tear gas to block opposition leaders and supporters from entering the electoral commission’s offices in a demonstration against what they call the Democratic Republic of Congo’s impending electoral disaster.
The opposition further lamented on the action taken by the police to deny them their democratic right to protest as they call for fair elections in the forthcoming polls.
“The police are being used by the power (authorities) to curb our freedoms and we don’t accept that. The police are not our interlocutor, our interlocutor, our interlocutors are the public authorities, it is the CENI that must organise free, democratic and transparent elections, and not the rest,” said Delly Sesanga, an opposition leader.
Elections in DRC have never been a smooth process as they are smeared with violent protests especially from the opposition and religious group calling for transparency in the process.
Martin Fayulu who is the main opposition also echoed the same sentiments by calling for a fair and transparent election.
“We are within our rights. We cannot, under any circumstances, surrender ourselves like beasts of burden, be taken to rigged elections and then afterwards the Westerners, everyone will say “we have taken note”, no. We are demanding our rights, the rights of the Congolese, the rights of Congolese who have not yet been born,” said Martin Fayulu.
Current president, Felix Tshisekedi, who succeeded Joseph Kabila in January 2019 in a controversial election, has already expressed his intention to run again.
Tshisekedi may be running against Martin Fayulu, who continues to claim that he won the 2018 election and was denied victory.
Former Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo (2012-2016) has also announced his intention to run.
According to the electoral authorities, insecurity remains the main challenge.
On May 13, 2023, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will hold its presidential and legislative primaries to choose the party’s nominees for the 2024 general elections.
Ahead of the primaries, former finance minister Dr. Kwabena Duffour is seeking to unseat the party’s three-time presidential candidate and former president, John Dramani Mahama.
Anticipations are high as political stalwarts await the choice of the party by the delegates after Saturday’s election.
The media has compiled five top NDC gurus who have declared their support for Dr. Kwabena Duffour ahead of the elections.
1. Former Communications officer of the party, Solomon Nkansah.
He believes that John Mahama has nothing better to offer again after leading the party into opposition for two consecutive times.
According to Nkansah, the current economic crises require a financial specialist to clean up the mess created, and Dr. Kwabena Duffour is the best candidate for the job.
2. Former Ablekuma South MP, Fritz Bafour.
According to him, Dr. Duffour wields all the qualities the flagbearer of the party must possess, and he is the best candidate for the position. Bafour made this known to Joy News after Dr. Duffour went through the vetting process on March 23, 2023.
3. Rojo Mettle-Nunoo, a former Deputy Health Minister, and member of Dr. Kwabena Duffuor’s campaign team. Mettle-Nunoo believes that Dr. Duffuor is the best man to lead the NDC into the 2024 general elections.
According to him, the only person with the ability to rescue Ghana from the economic mess it finds itself in is Dr. Duffuor.
4. Former national organizer of the NDC, Yaw Boateng Gyan has been a regular fixture in Duffuor’s travels and engagements with party members across the country.
He was part of the individuals who escorted and supported Dr. Kwabena Duffour to file for his nominations at the party headquarters on March 23, 2023.
Gloria Huze, together with some staff of NDC presidential hopeful, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor, picked his nomination for the party’s presidential primaries, which is scheduled for May 13, 2023, at the party’s headquarters in Accra.
In addition, Former Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Samuel Koku Anyidoho. Despite being expelled from the party in 2021 for misconduct and anti-party behavior, Koku Anyidoho has promised to work as an agent for Dr. Kwabena Duffour.
In the lead-up to Ghana’s highly anticipated 2024 general elections, the two major political parties, NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), are gearing up to wrestle or retain power. As the NDC readies itself for the upcoming primaries, the former finance minister is fancying his chances of clinching the NDC’s flagbearer position.
However, it remains to be seen if he can translate these endorsements into votes come May 13, 2023.
The municipal elections, which have 8,000 seats, can sound frightening, but here’s what you need to know
Updates on the local elections in England have been coming in since the polls closed at 10 p.m. last night, starting in the early morning hours.
With the typical excitement of every democratic vote in the UK come large gains—some unexpected, others predicted.
This year, the local elections were set against the backdrop of the cost of living crisis, the war in Ukraine and the lingering impact of the Covid pandemic.
But what were the key takeaways?
Blue Wall loses several bricks
Labour stormed through Tory heartland to make gains described as ‘hugely significant’ by Sir Keir.
Medway was among the local authority areas painted red, with Labour set to run the Kent council for the first time since 1998.
The party also gained East Staffordshire, where four years ago the Tories picked up a mighty 25 seats, when Labour was left with just 10.
Sir Keir told said ‘road to a better Britain’ begins now and will be ‘paved with Labour wins’.
He added: ‘We all know there’s no place for letting up. Let’s never mistake confidence for complacency.
‘But we are going to bottle this feeling we have today and then we’re going to turn it into a general election win next year.’
The Conservatives suffered huge losses in what has been Rishi Sunak’s first electoral test since being handed the keys to No 10.
They lost control of the likes of Welwyn Hatfield – in Energy Secretary Grant Shapps’ constituency – where both the Lib Dems and Labour made gains.
But the Prime Minister maintained that ‘progress’ is still being made for his party.
He told Sky News: ‘‘It’s always disappointing to lose hard-working Conservative councillors, they’re friends, they’re colleagues and I’m so grateful to them for everything they’ve done.
‘In terms of the results, it’s still early, we’ve just had a quarter of the results in, but what I am going to carry on doing is delivering on the people’s priorities – halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, cutting waiting lists and stopping the boats. ‘That’s what people want us to do, that’s what I’m going to keep hard at doing.’
No ID, no vote
Last night, the elections watchdog said ‘regrettably’ some people were turned away from polling stations.
The local elections were the first of its kind to be carried out under new rules which required voters to carry photographic ID.
Critics say the move could discourage young people and disenfranchise minority voters, both of which are likely to be Labour voters.
Gillian Long, 42, said ID requirements are ‘a load of rubbish’ after she was stopped from voting by an administration error between her ID and the registration system in East Riding, Yorkshire.
Ms Long said her address ‘wasn’t down right on their system’ and fumed ‘If you want people to vote, you should make it as easy as possible, and they’ve added a barrier.’
Green history
The Green Party has secured sole control of an English council for the very first time.
They currently have the 18 seats on Mid Suffolk District Council needed for majority on the 34-seat authority, with four wards yet to declare.
Previously, the local authority was run by a 16-seat minority Conservative administration.
Andy Mellen, leader of the Green Party in Mid Suffolk, said: ‘We are looking forward to getting to work.’
The Green Party’s co-leader in England and Wales, Adrian Ramsay, said the party had seen ‘fantastic results’ in both rural and urban areas, winning seats from Labour as well as the Conservatives.
He added the victory in Mid Suffolk would ‘pave the way for electing the first Green MP in the area as well to really represent people on a national stage as well as locally’.
What about Scotland?
While Scotland is dealing with ample political drama of its own, it did not host any local elections yesterday.
But party members north of the border still kept a close eye on today’s unfolding proceedings.
Some results suggest, based of current results, Labour will win the next general election, but without an overall majority.
Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader at Westminster, said this shows Scots should vote SNP so Scotland can ‘pull the strings’ of a minority UK government.
In a statement he said: ‘It’s increasingly clear that the SNP can hold the balance of power after the next general election – putting Scotland in prime position to pull the strings of a minority UK government.
‘Voting SNP is the best way to beat the Tories in Scotland – and every vote for the SNP will be crucial to ensure Scotland wields real power and influence.’
But the rise of Labour’s popularity in England could sway voters away from the SNP, which has been tarnished by the ongoing investigation into the party’s finances.
Young minds of the future
A teenager only just able to vote has become of the country’s youngest councillors – and stolen the seat of his town’s mayor in the process. Labour in Redditch picked up six seats – including in Church Hill, where 18-year-old James Fardoe claimed the scalp of Tory Ann Isherwood.
His brother Jack wrote on Twitter: ‘Well done to my brother James Fardoe, who was elected in Church Hill in Redditch. Not only did he beat the incumbent mayor, but he is only 18.’
Reacting to his victory on Facebook, James wrote: ‘I would like to thank my opponent, Ann Isherwood, for all her work over the past four years, it was an honour to run against you and once again thank you for your hard work. I would also like to thank all of the Redditch Labour Party and all the volunteers that helped me in Church Hill, I appreciate all the support everyone gave me in this election.
‘I would lastly like to thank everyone who went out to vote yesterday, not just for Labour but all the other parties, who put their trust in democracy and the candidates.’
The newly-elected councillor campaigned for more parking spaces, more youth facilities and more support for local businesses.
Are the Tories really doomed at the next general election? Or could Keir’s lack of star power undermine his party’s efforts?
Republican wave
King Charles may have missed the majority of local election updates, as he is slightly busy with Coronation preparations today.
But there have been interest results in the ward of Highgrove House, the family residence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, which lies in the Cotswold District Council ward.
Liberal Democrat Chris Twells believes the country should follow the Irish model of a republic, has been elected to represent the Tetbury with Upton ward.
But he has faced calls to quit his seat in north-west England after winning a second election 160 miles away in Gloucestershire.
Mr Twells beat the Conservatives by 60 votes to secure the Tetbury with Upton ward a mere 12 months after he defeated Labour to gain the Ordsall ward for the Lib Dems at Salford City Council, Greater Manchester.
He is expected to stand down from the latte role
Dogs out in full force
While newshounds have stayed up all night to cover the results of the election, during the day it was an army of dogs who helped encourage people to vote.
As is British tradition, voters snap pics of their pups outside polling stations.
Many were shared to Twitter with the hashtag #DogsAtPollingStations.
Regardless of your politics, I’m sure we can all agree that there were a great selection of very good boys out in full force.
Member of parliament for Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro, Sylvester Matthew Tetteh, has criticized member of parliament for Ningo Prampram, Sam Nartey George, for chastising the Akufo-Addo-led administration over the current state of the economy.
Speaking on a panel discussion on TV3’s ‘The Big Issue’ programme, on Monday, Sam George said that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government are full of thieves, whose only aim is to steal from the people of Ghana.
He said that after stealing all the country’s resources, the government is now going into the pockets of Ghanaians to also steal them through its domestic exchange programme,
“The recklessness and callousness of these bunch of kleptocrats that we have running this country are…,” Sam George was saying before he was interjected by Sylvester Tetteh.
The MP for Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfro described Sam George’s comments as uncivilised and urged the host of the programme to check him.
“The words being used are not the best… We should have a very civil conversation… you come to a programmeand all you get is insults,” he said.
Sam George rebutted; “there can be no civility when you are stealing from me, you are stealing from my parent, you are stealing from our grandparents and you say I should be civil”.
Sylvester Tetteh, who was getting frustrated, berated Sam George for his comments saying, “a lot of people are watching including our kids. You don’t come on TV and come and insult people.
“We come and sit on national television and all we heap on the good people of this country is full of insults. Why are you not discussing issues, the content of the subject matter you are not discussing it and you come here and insult people? What kind of attitude is this.”
Former President John Mahama has asserted that he is the only candidate who the current government’s New Patriotic Party (NPP) fears, and that as a result, he ought to be chosen to lead the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the impending general elections in 2024.
Mahama reaffirmed his confidence in his abilities to lead the NDC to victory in the polls while addressing NDC delegates in the Somanya Constituency on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.
“I wouldn’t have contested if I was sure that my contenders for the NDC presidential slot could stand against the NPP and win the 2024 general elections, but we cannot take the risk. The only person the NPP fears amongst NDC members is me, John Dramani Mahama,” he said.
Mahama went on to accuse the NPP of being unable to sleep when they hear his name, hence their call for a new face to lead the NDC. He also dismissed calls for a change in leadership within the NDC, saying it was none of their business.
“They [NPP] are unable to sleep when they hear my name. That’s why they have been calling for a fresh person. Are you the ones to tell us what we should do? It’s none of your business, I believe God has given us the power already,” he said.
The NDC is expected to hold its presidential primaries on May 13, 2023, with Mahama and other prominent party members expected to contest for the position of flagbearer.
The new Electoral Commission‘s Constitutional Instrument (CI) which intends to make the Ghana Card the only document for continuous voter registration in the country has been rejected by Parliament.
The House has rejected the move by the Electoral Commission (EC) to make the Ghana Card the only document for continuous voter registration in the country.
Parliament has also maintained that the guarantor system which is a means of getting an eligible voter with the required document registered must also be maintained.
A report of the Committee of the Whole also objected the EC’s move to limit continuous registration exercises to the regional, district capitals and offices determined by the commission.
Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has been announced as the sole candidate for the Swapo party in next year’s elections by Namibian President Hage Geingob on Saturday.
The president urged party members to back Ms. Nandi-Ndaitwah when official campaigns get off the next year in remarks to the party’s highest organ.
While serving as the nation’s deputy prime minister, Ms. Nandi-Ndaitwah is the party’s vice president.
“Elections took place, we have the results that we are going to have one candidate only, that will be comrade Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and we will campaign and we have a person who will lead us,” President Geingob said.
He also called on Swapo members not to create factions from the outcome of the party nominations.
President Geingob is due to step down next year after serving two terms. He was first elected in November 2014.
Swapo has led Namibia since independence and remains the country’s biggest political party.
But its popularity has recently waned because of discontent over rampant unemployment and corruption linked to senior party officials.
The party lost its two-thirds majority in parliament in the last general election in 2019. It also lost control of key municipalities, including the capital Windhoek, the port towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, and several regional councils.
Elections for local assemblies and state governors in Nigeria have been postponed by one week.
The election was slated to happen on Saturday. They will now take place on March 18.
The opposition in Nigeria requested a review of the computerized voting equipment. A judge dismissed their lawsuit. However, the electoral commission claimed that because of the legal challenge, preparations had been delayed and the machines would not be ready in time.
Election postponements are frequent in this nation.
In 2019 presidential and parliamentary elections were postponed for a week. The electoral body cited logistical issues.
The opposition has disputed last month’s election victory by President- elect Bolu Tinubu.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) introduced the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the first time as part of new technologies used in this year’s elections in a bid to improve transparency.
But observer groups and opposition parties said huge delays in voting and failures in the system when uploading tallies allowed for ballot disparities during the presidential election.
Nigeria, the most populous nation in Africa, will hold presidential elections on Febuary 25, 2023 amid growing dissatisfaction in the nation due to deteriorating security and economic hardship. Would any of the front-runners, the majority of whom have spent decades in politics, be able to change the course of the nation?
Muhammadu Buhari, the outgoing president of Nigeria, is leaving office after nearly eight years in charge amid instability and intense agitation, as many people are unable to access the money they require to purchase food due to a bungled roll-out of new banknotes.
But the cash crisis is not the only problem Nigerians face, with the last year being marked by struggle and tragedy, including high inflation and deadly attacks by gunmen against innocent civilians.
Mr Buhari’s supporters say he has done his best and highlight achievements, such as his work on infrastructure projects and attempts to combat violent extremism. But even his own wife, Aisha Buhari, has apologised to the Nigerian people for falling short of their expectations.
So whoever wins the election will not have an easy job.
Who is running for president?
A total of 18 candidates are campaigning for the top job, but only three have a realistic chance of winning, according to opinion polls. Only one of the 18 is a woman.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 70, is standing for the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) party. Known as a political godfather in the south-west region, he wields huge influence but has been dogged by allegations of corruption over the years and poor health, both of which he denies. Some say his campaign slogan Emi Lokan, which means “it’s my turn [to be president]” in the Yoruba language, shows a sense of entitlement.
Who is Bola Tinubu?
Atiku Abubakar, 76, is running on behalf of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He has run for the presidency five times before – all of which he has lost. Most of his career has been in the corridors of power, having worked as a top civil servant, vice-president under Olusegun Obasanjo and a prominent businessman. Just like Mr Tinubu, he has been accused of corruption and cronyism, which he denies.
Who is Atiku Abubakar?
Peter Obi, 61, is hoping to break up the two-party system which has dominated Nigeria since the end of military rule in 1999 and is running for the little known Labour Party. Although he was in the PDP until last year, he is seen as a relatively fresh face and enjoys fervent support on social media and among Nigeria’s youth. The wealthy businessman served as governor of the south-eastern Anambra State from 2006 to 2014. His backers, known as the “OBIdients” say he is the only candidate with integrity, but his critics argue that a vote for Obi is wasted as he is unlikely to win.
Who is likely to win?
Convention suggests a candidate from one of the two main parties will win – Mr Atiku or Mr Tinubu. But Mr Obi’s supporters are hoping he can spring a surprise if they can mobilise the large youth vote to back him.
When is the election?
It is due to take place on Saturday 25 February 2023. If there is no clear winner, a second round will be held within three weeks. There will also be elections for the country’s powerful state governors on Saturday 11 March.
The head of the election commission has dismissed suggestions that the vote could be delayed because of insecurity.
When will the election results be announced?
In the last two presidential elections the winner has been known on the third day after voting.
But votes will be counted as soon as voting ends on Saturday 25 February. Those who stay behind at their polling station will have the result announced to them, but it is a long process before all the results work their way up to Abuja from the tens of thousands of polling units across the country.
BVAS might speed up the process this year, but Inec-appointed officials will still have to travel to Abuja from the 36 states with hard copies to be read aloud.
Only then will the Inec chairman announce a winner – or that a second round is needed.
How does the election work?
In order to win, a candidate has to obtain the highest number of votes nationwide, and more than a quarter of ballots cast in at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s states.
If none of the candidates manage this, there will be a second round run-off between the top two candidates within 21 days.
What are the main issues?
Reducing insecurity is one of the key concerns of voters, in a country which is currently experiencing a kidnapping-for-ransom crisis, battling militant Islamists groups in parts of the north and a separatist insurgency in the south-east.
Two of the most shocking cases last year were a mass shooting at a Catholic Church in Owo and the storming by gunmen of a passenger train in which dozens of people were killed or kidnapped.
Image caption,Peter Obi’s supporters, who appear to be younger Nigerians, are vocal on social media
President Buhari says he has fulfilled his promise to “frontally and courageously tackle terrorism”, but many Nigerians feel the country is still not safe.
Has Buhari tackled jihadist threat in Nigeria?
The economy is another area of concern. Inflation now stands at 21.8%, according to the latest figures released this month. This rising cost of living has left many families struggling to make ends meet, with local media describing the situation as “dire”.
Unemployment is also a major problem, leaving many graduates fearful that they may not find work even after years of university study, which has prompted many to try and leave the country. Latest figures from the country’s National Bureau of Statistics show that 33% of the population is unemployed – jumping to 42.5% for younger adults.
Despite being a major oil producer, four out of 10 Nigerians live below the poverty line and “lack education and access to basic infrastructure, such as electricity, safe drinking water, and improved sanitation,” according to the World Bank.
Many of the candidates have put these issues at the centre of their campaigns.
But these problems have been mounting for several years, leaving some Nigerians sceptical about whether whoever wins the election will actually be able to fix them. Despite the large number of registered voters – 93.5 million – concerns persist about apathy and how many people will actually show up on the day to cast their ballot.
With almost 40% of registered voters under 34, the vote has been called the “election of young people” by elections chief Mahmood Yakubu.
A Nigerian senatorial candidate was on Wednesday shot dead and his body burned by attackers while on his way from a campaign rally in the southern state of Enugu.
Three days prior to Saturday’s general elections, which are being hailed as the most competitive in 24 years, Labour Party member Oyibo Chukwu passed away.
Local media reports that his aides were also shot dead before their car was set on fire with their bodies inside.
“Our party members are being targeted for assassination by political parties that feel threatened by the rise of the Labour Party in the state and are afraid they may lose Saturday’s election,” said Chijioke Edeoga, a candidate for the governor’s seat in the state.
The Labour Party has not commented on the attack, but its presidential candidate,Peter Obi, has been urging supporters to vote “correctly, peacefully, and hopefully.”
Deputy Communications Officer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ernest Owusu Bempah has stated that his party is poised at winning the 2024 parliamentary and presidential elections despite the economic hurdles confronting the country.
Mr. Owusu Bempah expressed optimism that the government, under President Akufo-Addo, will tackle the economic challenges that have arisen as a result of exogenous factors including the Russia-Ukraine war and the outbreak of Covid-19.
Prior to the emergence of these factors, he said, Ghana was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world due to the prudent measures of President Akufo-Addo.
Speaking to journalists in Accra on Wednesday, February 15, Mr. Bempah said “during the Mahama administration, Ghana’s economy was running at a 3 percent growth rate. Under the NPP, before Covid, it was doing 8 percent, that tells you we managed the economy better than the NDC.”
He added that the “NPP has been able to captain the country through the storm even though there are challenges. One can imagine if Mahama and his NDC were leading this country Ghanaians by now will be wallowing in abject poverty, people wouldn’t be able to afford three square meals a day”.
“There will be total darkness because of dumsor, joblessness will be the order of the day, and the youth will be perplexed if Mahama had been the leader of this country at this time. Despite all the challenges now, school children are going to school for free, and road networks are being built across the country.”
“If it had happened during the Mahama era you wouldn’t see all of these, they will blame it on the challenge. But we believe that as a political party before the 2024 elections, these challenges shall pass and NPP will come out united to win the elections and break the 8.
“The NDC, John Mahama as an alternative is empty. They have been there before when there was no crisis, we saw what they did, and they have nothing better to offer.”
Turnout for the runoff stood at 72.2 percent, marginally higher than in the first round of voting.
Cyprus voters have elected the former Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides as the next president of the small European Union member state, with his rival conceding defeat and congratulating him.
Christodoulides, 49, defeated fellow diplomat Andreas Mavroyiannis with 51.9 percent of the vote compared to 48.1 percent on the divided Mediterranean island on Sunday.
Mavroyiannis, 66, told reporters: “Tonight a journey has ended, a great journey that I shared with thousands of people. I regret that we couldn’t achieve the change that Cyprus needed.”
Christodoulides, who defected from the conservative ruling DISY party to run as an independent, scored 32 percent a week ago against 29.6 percent for Mavroyiannis, who also ran as an independent backed by the communist AKEL party.
Widely tapped as the election favourite during the campaign, Christodoulides is seen as likely to take a hard line on moribund United Nations-backed talks on ending the island’s decades-old division.
Former top diplomat Christodoulides earlier voiced confidence about a win when he told reporters: “The Cypriot people know and understand what is at stake … I have complete confidence in their judgement.”
Supporters greet presidential candidate Andreas Mavroyiannis after he cast his vote during runoff elections outside a polling station in Nicosia, Cyprus [Christina Assi/AFP]
Rising prices
Voter turnout was 72.4 percent with more than 405,000 citizens casting a ballot, a fraction higher than in the first round.
Top concerns for many voters are the cost of living crisis, irregular immigration, and the island’s almost half-century of division between the Greek-speaking south and a Turkish-occupied breakaway statelet in the north that is recognised only by Ankara.
But many disaffected voters simply looked for “the least worse candidate – a characteristic in most elections, but more so in this one”, said Andreas Theophanous of the Cyprus Center for European and International Affairs.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish forces occupied its northern third in response to a Greek-sponsored coup, but voters appeared split over whether the division was a priority in the election.
Retiree Dora Petsa, 75, said she expects the new president “to settle the Cypriot question”.
But Louis Loizides, 51, said the country has “too many internal problems” from the economy to immigration, having taken in large numbers of asylum seekers, including many who cross the UN-patrolled Green Line.
‘Rich even richer’
The ruling DISY had been knocked out of the presidential race for the first time in its history, and the conservative party’s decision to back neither candidate threw the runoff wide open.
Pre-poll favourite Christodoulides last week squeezed out DISY leader Averof Neofytou, 61, who came third with 26.11 percent in the first round, despite the incumbent’s endorsement.
Mavroyiannis surprised observers by beating Neofytou and closing the gap with Christodoulides last week.
The new government will be under pressure to root out corruption and address higher energy bills, labour disputes and the struggling economy.
Vasso Pelekanou, a 47-year-old woman, said the new president should help the middle class, which she believes was abandoned by the last government.
The executive order establishing a transitional team for the upcoming general elections in Nigeria has been signed by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The new executive order puts in place a legal framework for the seamless transition of power from one presidential administration to another,” he said.
I have signed Executive Order No. 14 of 2023 on the Facilitation and Management of Presidential Transitions. The new Executive Order puts in place a legal framework for the seamless transition of power from one Presidential Administration to another.
To start with, election candidacy ought not to be an impromptu decision. For inspiration, we may have to turn to Western civilization for succour. After all, our social structures and institutions are patterned after theirs.
In the United Kingdom, as in other saner climes, young men and women who participate in school politics – and are interested in running governments – are provided with ample chance to express themselves in an enabling environment; and they follow through till they graduate from these schools. It’s like a recruitment centre, and they eventually form the bulk of the grooming pool. It’s out of this pool that future leaders are chosen.
Of course, that’s why it’s customary: when you see candidates aiming to become prime ministers in the UK, they are products of certain Ivy League schools. So, it’s like the tertiary institutions in the West actually helping to groom the leadership class from which society decides who runs the race.
Elections, by definition, are supposed to reflect the pathway to the hopes and yearnings of the people. As such, any attempt to subvert or circumvent the process will be tantamount to committing a crime against humanity. Manifestly, subversion of the people’s will breeds illegitimacy and makes any government that comes to power through that flawed process unpopular, thus crippling its ability to govern effectively, because, whatever the government in question does will not appeal to the popular will of the people.
Therefore, it’s a disservice to anybody who is rigging elections in the first instance, for he or she may end up practically hurting himself or herself. So, the real deal is to have a genuine will to help, improve and develop society in all its ramifications. That’s the criteria! Obviously, what is important is for the candidate to be educationally sound so that, as a leader, he or she can debate anything with anybody, anywhere, reasonably; not through sophistry.
Again, sad that, rather than base a candidate’s recruitment criteria on merit and other concrete attributes, what we actually have are sentiments and other unprofitable concomitants mushrooming as the sacrosanct stuff!
Socrates was once quoted as saying that “until philosophers are kings, or the kings and princes of this world have the spirit and power of philosophy, cities will never have rest from their evils…” Except we are being immodest, the university system is a pool where the people are really groomed. Impliedly, it is at the level of the students that we should get the best hands to run the affairs of the country.
However, since our universities are always shut for the better part of the year, Nigeria is hardly portrayed as a serious country. So, it may not be out of place to say that the kind of products from such a system can only be described as half-baked or, not-baked at all. Of course, that’s why we keep forcing a 70-year-old to come back into politics and contest because the younger fold is not adequately equipped.
If, in a degraded society, nincompoops, running on the wave of popular culture, will always have their way, then, watch out for refined motor park touts, aka Agberos, in the society and their whet appetite for political offices! Sad that even our professors are not helping matters either!
While they are no longer interested in research works or theories that are not only novel but also needed for the healthy survival and improvement of society, they are with each passing day running after research grants, just to do ‘owambe.’
In any healthy competition for political office, the character of the candidate is also central. Therefore, a prospective candidate must have the patience to be able to listen to other people at all times and consider their opinions. He or she must accommodate other people’s views and must not be intolerant of their opinions.
Since it is not a day’s journey, anyone who wants to lead must over time have done certain things in society that showed his or her inner intents without the hope of getting a reward. In other words, there must be qualities of humanity in such a contestant; that is, he or she must have records or antecedents that are favourable to the leadership position being aspired.
Again, this is where Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), remains unbeatable! Regrettably, those who are closer to the ‘Jagaban of Borgu’ never see him as a teacher, talkless of being a mentor. And that’s where the problem lies!
Candidates standing for elections must be prepared to abide by the rules of the game even as a society must have the right orientation, and it must be sustained! The orientation programme must be ongoing, not only before or during elections but also after elections so that it doesn’t become a fire-brigade approach.
From primary school to the university, pupils and students must be exposed to the evils of election malpractices so that every Tom, Dick and Harry will know his or her rights and what’s expected of him or her in an electoral system.
Another critical quality is the structure! Without doubt, party structures must ensure that standards are not compromised. Yes, this is the peak of the pack! For instance, how are the chairmen and secretaries of political parties in Nigeria elected into office? Where is their curriculum vitae?
Do they come in because they’re foot soldiers of the party or because they possess the requisite administrative knowledge, which is indeed, different from one to the other? What we are saying essentially is that competence should define the suitability or otherwise of applicants to party offices.
A party chairman who doesn’t understand the nuances of public administration can be likened to a square peg in a round hole; none other than a misfit!
Quite frankly, Nigerians must admit that many of the processes of the current electoral process did not start from the right premises. So, we may just have to manage whatever results we get. For instance, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) rejoiced over a pyrrhic victory, following the July 16, 2022 governorship election in Osun State, until the Election Petition Tribunal appropriately scrutinized the process and delivered justice accordingly. From the look of things, nobody imagined that it would be ‘Lanlehin’; that whatever goes around comes around!
As the 2023 General Elections are nearing us by the eyelids, election riggers should watch out! It’s always easy to say that Rome was not built in a day. Of course, that’s true! But then, the initiative to build Rome started sometime; and it was sustained. That’s why we have Rome standing today.
In like manner, the lofty intention to have free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria has been initiated. What this demands, really, is for candidates to work hard, not relying on the usual mundaneness of issues like religion, ethnicity or fetish approach to prayers or metaphysics. In truth, prayers and belief systems are very personal issues while coming into politics is public service.
After all, God didn’t ask anyone to go into politics. But if there’s anyone who said he’s sent by God to practice politics, let him or her supply evidence to support his or her claim.
Thank God, Osun has now shown that the fear of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) is the beginning of wisdom!
May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!
Source: Abiodun Komolafe
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
New regulations that have been announced in state media seem to be intended to prevent any significant opposition to the military.
The strict new law on political parties that Myanmar’s military, which took control in a coup almost two years ago, has announced is likely to cause more concerns about the integrity of the elections that are scheduled for August.
The law, which repeals legislation from 2010, prohibits parties and candidates from supporting people or groups that have been “designated as committing terror acts” or are otherwise deemed to be “unlawful.”
Parties that want to contest the national election will also need to secure at least 100,000 members within three months of registration and have funds of 100 million Myanmar kyat ($45,500), 100 times more than previously. The money has to be deposited with the state-owned Myanma Economic Bank.
The law, signed by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, was published in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar on Friday.
The military detained elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and seized power on February 1, 2021, in the wake of an election that returned her National League for Democracy to office in a landslide.
The generals claimed without evidence that there was fraud in the poll. International monitors who observed the November 2020 election found it to be largely free and fair.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains hugely popular, has been jailed for more than 30 years following secretive trials on charges from illegally owning walkie-talkies to corruption that critics say are designed to remove her from the country’s political life. Other senior members of her party, including removed President Win Myint, have also been tried and jailed.
Amid widespread international criticism of the coup and sanctions from the United States and other countries, the military initially announced it would hold new elections within a year. It then backtracked to say they would be held between February and August 2023.
The new law states any existing party must apply for registration within two months of the legislation being announced or be “automatically invalidated”. Parties can also be suspended for three years, and ultimately dissolved, for failing to comply with the provisions of the new law.
The legislation also says parties are not allowed to lodge an appeal against election commission decisions on registration.
The coup plunged Myanmar into a political crisis as the military’s brutal crackdown on anti-coup protests led civilians to take up arms and join forces with ethnic armed groups in the country’s border regions.
Nearly 3,000 people have been killed by the military since it seized power, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a civil society group monitoring the crackdown.
Thousands more have been detained with groups fighting against the military designated as “terrorists”.
