The Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has stated that managing elections is gradually becoming expensive, not only in Ghana but across the world.
Mahdi Gibril says the processes involved in organising internal elections come at a high cost, especially when aiming for a free, transparent, and credible process that will ensure all parties accept the outcome.
He was responding to the filing fee announced by the party, which pegs the National Chairmanship position at GH¢100,000, an amount that has generated mixed reactions.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, he noted that nothing that promotes peace, stability, and democracy comes cheap.
Consequently, he stressed that Ghanaians ought to acknowledge and support political parties in ensuring that they organise their internal processes in a manner that enhances the country’s democracy.
“The cost of managing elections is becoming expensive across the world, and rightly so, because when you manage elections transparently and in a credible manner, you promote and ensure peace and stability in the world. The price of peace is expensive. People who file to contest understand the process, and as managers, we are obliged to organize a free, fair, and transparent election.”
He told host Kwabena Agyapong that “Every political party values the processes in managing its internal elections. What goes into the process determines what comes out. The party has always increased filing fees for its internal elections; we have never reduced them.”
He also dismissed claims that the filing fee was pegged high because the party is in power, stating that the party aims to fund and manage its elections independently without leaning on the government.
He further rubbished reports that the high fee was meant to scare off potential aspirants, adding, “Rather, more people are coming forward to file and contest in our elections. The process has actually encouraged more people to join the race.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
