Political analyst Mr. Alex Emmanuel Nti has observed that individuals who often declare their intention to run as independent candidates in national elections after losing internal party elections are either driven by personal gain or do not trust party structures.
He stated that while the political party to which individuals belong may be held responsible for certain challenges, the individuals themselves must also be accountable.
He argued that as party members, you agreed to contest an internal party primaries, lost, and should accept the outcomes.
”If, as a party member, you knew you would contest as an independent, there was no need to have contested the primaries of the party. As a party member who is democratic, you should trust in the system you belong to. If you don’t trust in the structures and systems of the party, then it means the party may have also failed in whipping you to bring you in terms of losing and support the party’s candidate.’’
He commented that individuals vying for parliamentary positions do not possess exclusive knowledge and abilities essential for transformation, and in the most severe scenarios, others can step in to fill the gap.
”While I do not entirely blame these individuals, it is important to note that independent candidates sometimes receive support from high-level party officials. This may be due to powerful individuals within the party disagreeing with the winning candidate and subsequently sponsoring the losing candidates to run as independents against the party’s nominated candidates. Moreover, some individuals are driven by self-interest and a desire for power, leading them to resist relinquishing their positions, as they associate being an MP with numerous privileges, immunities, and opportunities.”
Then there are individuals who feel aggrieved by their political parties and opt to run as independent candidates, confident that their constituents perceive them as the superior choice, and thus they pin their hopes on the electorate to secure victory.”
The two major parties, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), benefit when candidates from within their parties decide to contest as independent candidates.
He underscored the need for political parties to find ways to whip their members who lose and decide to contest as independent candidates so it does not affect their chances of winning.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
