Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, the former Chairman of Ghana’s Electoral Commission, has called for severe penalties for those who commit serious election offenses, especially if they are experts in the field.
He argues that such actions, aimed at sabotaging the people’s will, should be classified as treasonous.
Addressing the Ghana Bar Association’s annual conference in Kumasi on Tuesday, Dr. Afari Gyan highlighted that professionals involved in elections, due to their specialized knowledge, are acutely aware of the severity of their misconduct.
He emphasized that election officials and electronic experts who tamper with results should face stringent repercussions to discourage similar behavior in the future.
Dr. Afari Gyan stressed the critical importance of maintaining the integrity of the electoral process, asserting that only valid votes can truly represent the people’s choices in a democracy.
He also warned that any attempt to alter or compromise the electoral process by those entrusted with overseeing it should be treated as a grave offense.
In addition, Dr. Afari Gyan advised political parties and candidates to collect the necessary documentation before disputing election results in court.
He emphasized that these documents are vital for reconstructing and validating election outcomes and urged challengers to ensure they possess genuine and properly executed pink sheets before initiating legal actions.
“Pink sheets are the cornerstone for verifying election results,” he said. “Without authentic and correctly executed pink sheets, think twice before pursuing legal action.”
