Election 2020: a political game on ballot positions

10/21/2020 Business, Ghana, Science



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The game is underway for the final leg of the Election 2020 campaign.

Yesterday, October 20, the Electoral Commission voted for the positions of the political parties on the December ballot. Now every political party knows where they are in the race to Jubilee House.

In the history of politics and elections in the country, the position of political parties on the ballot has been interpreted as a crucial determining factor in a party’s chance in elections.

The ruling New Patriotic Party and the opposition Democratic National Congress rank first and second on the ballot.

In Ghana’s multi-party democratic structure, although only two major parties are factored into people’s decisions and choices, electoral systems leave room for other contenders.

While some consider it unnecessary, others applaud the inclusion of these smaller parties in elections, as it sometimes provides a healthy distraction during busy campaign times, and especially vote counting on Election Day.

This year’s election is no different.

Twelve political parties arrived on the ballot after another 5 (3 parties and 2 independent candidates) were disqualified by the EC from the electoral process on charges of forgery of signatures.

As it stands, the 2 main political parties occupied the top two positions.

Some may say that’s indicative of their duopoly in Ghana’s multi-party democracy. But however you look at it, the political parties themselves have their own theories and conspiracies about their positions on the ballot.

After yesterday’s vote, notable political parties expressed their thoughts and theories about their positions on the ballot.

Theories, conspiracies and prophecies

The New Patriotic Party
The ruling party, NPP, secured the number one spot on the ballot.

For party apparatchiks like John Boadu, who is the party’s general secretary, “Nana Akufo-Addo is number one” and her position on the ballot is indicative of the fact that “the party is getting what it wants in terms of votes in the next elections ”.

He also pointed out that during “the voting exercise to determine the order of appearance of the political parties for the main vote, the PNP chose the number four (4).”

Boadu says this “is consistent with the party’s 4More4Nana mantra.”

Social media was full of theories about the party’s chances in the December polls.

The 2008 Kwabena Kwabena campaign song has:

Other conspiracies have woven the National Science and Mathematics Exam of 12 years ago into the political fabric.

But Sammy Gyamfi, the NDC Communications Officer has a completely different view of Nana Addo’s number one position on the ballot.

The Democratic National Congress
The number 2 on the ballot looks like a victory for the NDC, as according to their NDC Deputy Secretary General Peter Otokunor, “this is exactly what we were looking for.”

Why? Because they believe, like Jesus Christ, that this heralds the return, or as they put it, the “second coming of John Mahama.”

However, according to NPP Secretary General John Boadu, “John Mahama from NDC is coming for Round 2 to prove his SECOND DEFEAT at the Insha Allah polls.”

A loyalist to the PNP party, Kwaku Brown, seems to share a similar opinion and has a prescient statement about the elections.

Another alleged NDC Youth Wing wearing the party colors says this will be the NDC’s second loss:

The Popular Party of the Convention
Ivor Greenstreet did not leave the CPP out of this game. He sees the fourth position of the CPP on the ballot as an account of the “4 years of hell” under the two main parties that has led the people of Ghana towards the “4 years of heaven” under the leadership of the CPP.

The Progressive People’s Party
In number 10, the PPP believes that he is the captain of the team and, furthermore, according to the 10 commandments, he has the law and the authority of God on his side.

The Congress of All Peoples (APC)
All People’s Congress (APC) general secretary, Mr. Mordecai Thiombiano, believes that his number on the ballot is something of a fortuitous and spiritual event.

“I think choosing the number 7 is an indication that we are going to be victorious. The number 7 did not come by chance but by the grace of God. It is an indication in the prophetic realms of the spirit that we are prosperous and victorious. “

Analysts

According to the political marketing strategist and senior lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, Dr. Kobby Mensah, a party’s position on the ballot counts.

“Studies show that the position of the ballots is important. When you’re in the middle of the pack, there is a tendency for people to cast their vote in the middle.

“Being at the top of the pack helps because it’s at eye level. Among those who float or intermediate voters, the top or bottom of the group is the preferred option, ”he added.

However, Professor Gyampo, Associate Professor at the University of Ghana, is not satisfied with the number of candidates on our ballot. He believes this will only create confusion in the selection process on voting day.

“Until political parties in Ghana strive to achieve this, approval by the Election Commission of up to 12 candidates to be on our ballots will not only create confusion in the selection of voters during voting, but would also represent a loss of space in the vote. ballots, “he added.

How will it end?

At this stage of the “games”, we can only wait for time to say if these predictions and prophecies are something to look forward to. Or if the ballot will betray the players?

In the case of the NDC, will Ghana have to wait for centuries for the second coming of John Mahama as Christians of Christ have, or will December 7, 2020 be the year of a fulfilled prophecy?

In terms of permutations and combinations, will the PNP follow the pattern of the 2008 elections as some predicted, or will it stay true to its position on the ballot?

As in Biblical times, there were 12 disciples and only one Messiah, the 2020 Election will determine who will be the greatest in the ‘Kingdom’ of Ghana.



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