Former Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan, has called for stringent penalties for individuals who commit serious election offences, particularly if they are professional election administrators or electronic experts.
He argues that such actions, aimed at undermining the will of the people, could be considered as treasonous.
Speaking at the Ghana Bar Association’s (GBA) annual conference in Kumasi on Tuesday, Dr. Afari Gyan emphasized that professionals in the field of elections, due to their expertise, are fully aware of the gravity of their actions.
He stressed that these individuals, including election officials and electronic experts tampering with results, should face severe consequences to deter others from engaging in similar misconduct.
Dr. Afari Gyan underscored the importance of upholding the integrity of the voting process, asserting that a valid vote is crucial for reflecting the people’s choices in a democratic election.
Additionally, he warned that any attempt to manipulate or compromise the electoral process, especially by those tasked with overseeing it, should be regarded as a serious offence.
Meanwhile, Dr. Afari Gyan advised political parties and candidates to gather the necessary data before challenging election results in court.
He stressed that these documents are essential for reconstructing and validating election outcomes, and urged those contesting results to ensure they have authentic and properly executed pink sheets before proceeding with legal challenges.
“Pink sheets are the most important source documents for reconstructing election results,” he asserted. “If you don’t have authentic and properly executed pink sheets, think carefully before going to court.”