Philip Bannor, why do you not apply to take over from Dr Afari-Gyan since you have such knowledge of electoral processes?
NPP did not see anything wrong with previous elections conducted by Dr Afari-Gyan which they won. Is ... read full comment
Philip Bannor, why do you not apply to take over from Dr Afari-Gyan since you have such knowledge of electoral processes?
NPP did not see anything wrong with previous elections conducted by Dr Afari-Gyan which they won. Is it only now that 'We deserve a better Electoral Commission to safeguard the sanctity of voting, and the clear will of the people'?
You question the amount of money spent on the elections. Do you know how much it costs to perform all the functions leading up to the elections in terms of training and preparation?
You say that 'The EC chair could have delayed the declaration of the results for say 48-72 hours, and critically examine the concerns of the petitioners if they had a case. He could have called for an audit of the pink sheets, and even sanction by means of annulment where credible evidence of irregularity, malpractices or violations of the electoral law or procedures had occurred.' Have you forgotten that NPP were allowed to bring up any evidence of irregularities, this was examined by the EC, and dismissed for lack of evidence?
Why did the polling agents fail to raise any objections when they had the power to do so at the polling stations and with the collation centres?
Do you realise that there could be errors on the pink sheets with misrecording, hence the need to cross-check with other documents?
Elections are won at the ballot box, not at the Supreme court.
I would be more concerned about the confusion about the number of pink sheets submitted in evidence which has still not been resolved with different figures quoted today by Addison. Do you realise that the analysis and evidence provided by the petitioners is fatally undermined by the confusion over the number of pink sheets submitted and the discrepancies between the various lots given to the registry, President of the court and the respondents? Even today it emerged that a cancelled pink sheet of Finger of God church had found its way into the Petitioner’s address.
The evidence adduced by the petitioners is unreliable and undermines the whole case.
william 10 years ago
iF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DICTIONARY DEFINITION AS IT RELATES TO THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS, THEN YOU MUST BE BLINDED BY HIGH FEVER OR CONFIDENCE IN IGNORANCE NOT TO SEE THAT AFARI DJAN'S CREDIBILTY IS INTACT. THE ELECTORAL ... read full comment
iF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DICTIONARY DEFINITION AS IT RELATES TO THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS, THEN YOU MUST BE BLINDED BY HIGH FEVER OR CONFIDENCE IN IGNORANCE NOT TO SEE THAT AFARI DJAN'S CREDIBILTY IS INTACT. THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION AS AN INSTITUTION, INDIVIDUAL'S ERRORS NOTWITHSTANDING, HAS ITS CREDIBILTY NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONlly intact. the supreme court has also already shown same with style!
DR. Bokor Jnr 10 years ago
This article edited could have perfectly replaced the petitioners address. Simple facts, clear analysis !!!
This article edited could have perfectly replaced the petitioners address. Simple facts, clear analysis !!!
Omanhene 10 years ago
Doc did a great job.
Doc did a great job.
Okoe 10 years ago
The EC's credibility is not as important as the presiding officers. The EC is the wrong person to blame for things that happen at the polling stations. What are the political affiliations of the presiding officers. Can they b ... read full comment
The EC's credibility is not as important as the presiding officers. The EC is the wrong person to blame for things that happen at the polling stations. What are the political affiliations of the presiding officers. Can they be bought not to sign the pink sheets in anticipation of losers going to court?
Odikro 10 years ago
EC is responsible for conducting a credible election.
EC is responsible for conducting a credible election.
Clemente 10 years ago
The EC is charged and paid to conduct a credible election to give Ghanaians a legitimate presidente and not to conduct elections full of erros to give Ghanaians wrong presidente. At the end of the day Ghanaian know that wheth ... read full comment
The EC is charged and paid to conduct a credible election to give Ghanaians a legitimate presidente and not to conduct elections full of erros to give Ghanaians wrong presidente. At the end of the day Ghanaian know that whether the number of wrong pink sheets tally with the number which NPP identified or not, there was something wrong with the election as Afari Gyan himself accepted. The constitution recommends preciding officers but it does not stop there but goes ahead to tell aggrieved parties to seek reddress inthe court why after recommendng for preciding officers and party agents. The one who is stealing will always do everything possible to hide it from the one watching.The constitution knows that election is not won at the polling station when there is fraud or erro and that is why the constutition recommends going to court. You don't steal in na election and say that election is won at the polling stions. We are thinking being not like other animals, Sankofa,. Know that there are other time NPP lost but did not challeng the results just as there were other times the NPP wone and ther other parties did not see anything wrong with the results and therefore did not challeng the results.
Sankofa 10 years ago
If NPP did not deem fit to challenge results at the polls, why challenge the results now?
The elections have been passed as free and fair by all the observers. The petitioners did not accuse anybody of stealing. They tried ... read full comment
If NPP did not deem fit to challenge results at the polls, why challenge the results now?
The elections have been passed as free and fair by all the observers. The petitioners did not accuse anybody of stealing. They tried to point to perceived irregularities. These have not been proven. The crucial fact is that the evidence adduced by the petitioners is fatally flawed because of the confusion over the number of pink sheets submitted, and their selectivity.
How can the judges rule in favour of the petitioners when their primary evidence is unreliable?
Kk 10 years ago
This is the third time that Afari-Djan is to blame for all the Ghana is going through where 2012election is concern.Please prosecute him.His an Idiot.
This is the third time that Afari-Djan is to blame for all the Ghana is going through where 2012election is concern.Please prosecute him.His an Idiot.
Odikro 10 years ago
i agree with you Kk
i agree with you Kk
Lexus 10 years ago
The 66-83 yo Tilapia farmer is the "Mark Fuhrman"[a la OJ]of this landmark SC case. He is bound to fall very hard, taking his collusion partners, namely, the first and third respondents, with him.
It was beyond disheartening ... read full comment
The 66-83 yo Tilapia farmer is the "Mark Fuhrman"[a la OJ]of this landmark SC case. He is bound to fall very hard, taking his collusion partners, namely, the first and third respondents, with him.
It was beyond disheartening to watch this old man being either evasive or straight-up lying every little step of the way. I even got teary at times as I watched him struggling with his lies.
Every reasonable person understands that Elections are never going to be perfect. Moreover, with this newly introduced Biometric devices significant challenges were expected by all and sundry, especially with the relatively high illiteracy in Ghana. HOWEVER, FOR DR AFARI GYAN TO BE SO IMPETUOUSLY IN COLLUSION WITH THE FIRST AND THIRD RESPONDENTS HE APPEARED NOT ONLY CRIMINAL, BUT BEYOND SINFUL.
Re Afari Gyan's age we can all understand and forgive him; he was probably trying to stay a little longer on the job, like many civil servants are wont to do. Fact is that if he was not fortunate to be a Dadda ba he probably graduated from Saa Seven at 28, after 'graduating' from palm-wine-tapping, rat- and kola-hunting, nnoboa and cocoa-abusa stints. After serving some years as a 'Pupil Teacher' he goes through Set B & A, and then taking one subject at a time he finally gets to Legon when he is almost 50. The twerp has to be 100 yo by now.
If the old man keeps back-peddling on his age at the rate he is going, then trust me, he is going to be playing for the BLACK SATTELITES IN 2018.
ACH, DU SCHANDE!!!!!!!
Reforming the EC is just an understatement. AFARI GYAN NEEDS TO FALL VERY HARD. WHILE HE IS AT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT HE TAKES MAHAMMA AND THE NDC WITH HIM.
PS Don't hate yours sincerely, Sir Lexus for the Agya ba jokes. I was just being silly.
Nyansasem 10 years ago
I believe that he did not collude with anyone to steal the election. However, it is his pomposity and carelessness that has brought all this thing to us. But we also have to be grateful to know that he is not what he is and E ... read full comment
I believe that he did not collude with anyone to steal the election. However, it is his pomposity and carelessness that has brought all this thing to us. But we also have to be grateful to know that he is not what he is and EC needs to be retool before any election.
As a Africans, we do not strive to excel in anything. The fact that he had organized 4 election and no one has not taken him to task does not mean that he was perfect. For almost 20 years, this man wants to tell us that he does not know the meaning of "over-voting" and yet we have idiots here who want us to believe that and praise him because he has organized 4 election and has been asked to lecture some African countries about election. Do you see how hollow their argument is?
This is probably the best reason why I don't think we should have a re-run or anything like that. How do we have a re-run when this same incompetent man is still in charge of the election. The SC should uphold the election and order immediate revamp and retool of the EC with a new man before the next election. And it should begin right away for the 2016 election. That is what I expect of the SC verdict.
Odikro 10 years ago
ohh yes EC he colluded.
he never signed petition.
biometric machies were introduced to stop ballot malfeasance. Finger prints stops ballot cheating.
ballot papers are serially numbered. No two voters have same ballot p ... read full comment
ohh yes EC he colluded.
he never signed petition.
biometric machies were introduced to stop ballot malfeasance. Finger prints stops ballot cheating.
ballot papers are serially numbered. No two voters have same ballot paper. All hv different serial numbers.
kb 10 years ago
Afari Gyan is a disgraced person.simply put.
Afari Gyan is a disgraced person.simply put.
Odikro 10 years ago
shame afari-djan
shame afari-djan
Amanoa 10 years ago
He should have just taken his time to listen to the petitioners to cross check their observations but said they can go to the court.
He should have just taken his time to listen to the petitioners to cross check their observations but said they can go to the court.
Sankofa 10 years ago
The EC asked NPP to provide evidence of irregularity.
NPP did so. EC examined the evidence and decided there was no sufficient to amend the results in the named constituencies. [Remember that the NPP polling agents signed ... read full comment
The EC asked NPP to provide evidence of irregularity.
NPP did so. EC examined the evidence and decided there was no sufficient to amend the results in the named constituencies. [Remember that the NPP polling agents signed the electoral sheets without launching any complaints about results which they were entitled and empowered to do. Remember also that the NPP had declared through Agyarko that the elections were free and fair and that they were on course to win, with Sir John asking members to wear white to church in celebration on Sunday 10 December.] So Dr Afari-Gyan went ahead and announced the results.
What was wrong with that?
Papa Yaw 10 years ago
True
True
Kwobia,Toronto 10 years ago
Afari made the right call.As Egypt slides into anarchy,it is a cautionary tale for all Ghanains.
Ghanains collectively are responsible for the electoral process for better or worse.
Afari made the right call.As Egypt slides into anarchy,it is a cautionary tale for all Ghanains.
Ghanains collectively are responsible for the electoral process for better or worse.
K. Owusu 10 years ago
The petitioners do not have any case. The NPP did not see anything wrong when the results were going their way. They were indeed jubilating all over the place. It was when the tide changed that they started finding all sorts ... read full comment
The petitioners do not have any case. The NPP did not see anything wrong when the results were going their way. They were indeed jubilating all over the place. It was when the tide changed that they started finding all sorts of excuses not to accept the results. The NPP is simply sore losers and that has been their character since time immemorial. results was going their way and turned round to blame the EC when the results changed to the other side.
Target. 10 years ago
Mr. Djan lost all credibility when he rushed to announce the results. The EC should come across as impartial. His actions however made that impossible. Hence some of his answers were downright pathetic. He must do the right ... read full comment
Mr. Djan lost all credibility when he rushed to announce the results. The EC should come across as impartial. His actions however made that impossible. Hence some of his answers were downright pathetic. He must do the right thing and resign soon after the Supreme courts makes its decision.
Kobena 10 years ago
Very good piece, Philip,
Afari-Djan is a disgrace to academia. It is almost certain that the protests of 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008 all had merit. If the protesters on those occasions had persisted long enough, we probably would ... read full comment
Very good piece, Philip,
Afari-Djan is a disgrace to academia. It is almost certain that the protests of 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008 all had merit. If the protesters on those occasions had persisted long enough, we probably would have known Afari-Djan for what he really is, earlier.
The other nonsense about the conduct of the 2012 election is that in spite of the fact that the EC says it did not have enough BVD machines for their orginal verified polling stations, Afari-Djan still managed to defend the presence of the huuhuudious A, B and C sub-stations by claiming that they were established to lessen the queues!
Afari-Djan's performance in the witness box was really pathetic. I wonder how he sleeps when he goes to bed at night. Those "temporary" IT people were the ones that were used for the dubious entries on the pink sheets and that is exactly the reason why they did not sign them.
I will suggest that a Mathematician or Physicists be appointed as the next Electoral Commissioner. No scientist will ever dream of carrying out and defending such disgraceful deeds.
Odikro 10 years ago
Thanks for your comments. You are right.
Thanks for your comments. You are right.
Odikro 10 years ago
we keep praying.
we keep praying.
GENERAL DeGAULE 10 years ago
The NPP declared themselves winners before the official declaration. Then they alleged electoral fraud and connivance of EC and NDC. They were asked to submit evidence. They returned with nothing substantial. And with the con ... read full comment
The NPP declared themselves winners before the official declaration. Then they alleged electoral fraud and connivance of EC and NDC. They were asked to submit evidence. They returned with nothing substantial. And with the consent of the National Peace Council, the official declaration was made.
The grounds of their petition is not what was presented to the EC asking for a delay in the announcement. It is highly improbable that they would have found the so called irregularities had the declaration been delayed. All they wanted was to be declared winners at all cost hence the wild claims about vote padding and the STL lies.
Then their petition itself was amended and during the hearing further amended. They started with 4,000 then 11,000 then 10000 pink sheets. Then the votes they want annulled went from 4 million to 3 million. The petitioners made up their case as they went along. This case was more than defining over voting.
CREDIBILITY? When a petitioner avoids 2,002 other pink sheets? That is bad faith and no credibility.
koku 10 years ago
Critism is as cheap as saliva, hence no wonder the writer of the above subject can advance such a myopic arguement.
Critism is as cheap as saliva, hence no wonder the writer of the above subject can advance such a myopic arguement.
Queen 10 years ago
Afari Gwan has been stealing for long time. His cup just got full and he was caught. It was a matter of time. Embarrassing way to finish a career. Leaving a BAD LEGACY for his family for generations to come.
Afari Gwan has been stealing for long time. His cup just got full and he was caught. It was a matter of time. Embarrassing way to finish a career. Leaving a BAD LEGACY for his family for generations to come.
Kalira 10 years ago
Oh npp
Oh npp
Ohene. 10 years ago
Are u stupid Or blind.
Are u stupid Or blind.
ECOMINI 10 years ago
When the case began at the supreme court, I was very skeptical about the petitioners case (obviously I/we had not heard the whole case). I was very positive that when it got to Afari-Djan's evidence, he would clarify without ... read full comment
When the case began at the supreme court, I was very skeptical about the petitioners case (obviously I/we had not heard the whole case). I was very positive that when it got to Afari-Djan's evidence, he would clarify without doubt, the fairness of the elections. I was WRONG and SHOCKED. Like Bannor has written, Afari-Djan was elusive, and most of his responses were just a disgrace. I have nothing against Mahama. There seems to be some modicum of criminality in the actions of Afari-Djan. He has really let the country down. He will be the hub around which the verdict of the supreme court will revolve.
Philip Bannor, why do you not apply to take over from Dr Afari-Gyan since you have such knowledge of electoral processes?
NPP did not see anything wrong with previous elections conducted by Dr Afari-Gyan which they won. Is ...
read full comment
iF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DICTIONARY DEFINITION AS IT RELATES TO THE CONDUCT OF ELECTIONS, THEN YOU MUST BE BLINDED BY HIGH FEVER OR CONFIDENCE IN IGNORANCE NOT TO SEE THAT AFARI DJAN'S CREDIBILTY IS INTACT. THE ELECTORAL ...
read full comment
This article edited could have perfectly replaced the petitioners address. Simple facts, clear analysis !!!
Doc did a great job.
The EC's credibility is not as important as the presiding officers. The EC is the wrong person to blame for things that happen at the polling stations. What are the political affiliations of the presiding officers. Can they b ...
read full comment
EC is responsible for conducting a credible election.
The EC is charged and paid to conduct a credible election to give Ghanaians a legitimate presidente and not to conduct elections full of erros to give Ghanaians wrong presidente. At the end of the day Ghanaian know that wheth ...
read full comment
If NPP did not deem fit to challenge results at the polls, why challenge the results now?
The elections have been passed as free and fair by all the observers. The petitioners did not accuse anybody of stealing. They tried ...
read full comment
This is the third time that Afari-Djan is to blame for all the Ghana is going through where 2012election is concern.Please prosecute him.His an Idiot.
i agree with you Kk
The 66-83 yo Tilapia farmer is the "Mark Fuhrman"[a la OJ]of this landmark SC case. He is bound to fall very hard, taking his collusion partners, namely, the first and third respondents, with him.
It was beyond disheartening ...
read full comment
I believe that he did not collude with anyone to steal the election. However, it is his pomposity and carelessness that has brought all this thing to us. But we also have to be grateful to know that he is not what he is and E ...
read full comment
ohh yes EC he colluded.
he never signed petition.
biometric machies were introduced to stop ballot malfeasance. Finger prints stops ballot cheating.
ballot papers are serially numbered. No two voters have same ballot p ...
read full comment
Afari Gyan is a disgraced person.simply put.
shame afari-djan
He should have just taken his time to listen to the petitioners to cross check their observations but said they can go to the court.
The EC asked NPP to provide evidence of irregularity.
NPP did so. EC examined the evidence and decided there was no sufficient to amend the results in the named constituencies. [Remember that the NPP polling agents signed ...
read full comment
True
Afari made the right call.As Egypt slides into anarchy,it is a cautionary tale for all Ghanains.
Ghanains collectively are responsible for the electoral process for better or worse.
The petitioners do not have any case. The NPP did not see anything wrong when the results were going their way. They were indeed jubilating all over the place. It was when the tide changed that they started finding all sorts ...
read full comment
Mr. Djan lost all credibility when he rushed to announce the results. The EC should come across as impartial. His actions however made that impossible. Hence some of his answers were downright pathetic. He must do the right ...
read full comment
Very good piece, Philip,
Afari-Djan is a disgrace to academia. It is almost certain that the protests of 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008 all had merit. If the protesters on those occasions had persisted long enough, we probably would ...
read full comment
Thanks for your comments. You are right.
we keep praying.
The NPP declared themselves winners before the official declaration. Then they alleged electoral fraud and connivance of EC and NDC. They were asked to submit evidence. They returned with nothing substantial. And with the con ...
read full comment
Critism is as cheap as saliva, hence no wonder the writer of the above subject can advance such a myopic arguement.
Afari Gwan has been stealing for long time. His cup just got full and he was caught. It was a matter of time. Embarrassing way to finish a career. Leaving a BAD LEGACY for his family for generations to come.
Oh npp
Are u stupid Or blind.
When the case began at the supreme court, I was very skeptical about the petitioners case (obviously I/we had not heard the whole case). I was very positive that when it got to Afari-Djan's evidence, he would clarify without ...
read full comment