A few incidents marred the elections.  But on the whole Ghanaians could hold their heads high at the conduct of the polls.  Naturally most were disappointed that the results could not be announced immediately.

A section of a major party vehemently questioned the delay and claimed that their party had won.  But Ghanaians showed their maturity by not taking to the streets in numbers to express their disappointment.

The Electoral Commissioner and her team should take the blame for the procedures which went wrong or fell short of expectations just as they deserve congratulations for shepherding a largely illiterate population to exercise a fundamental democratic right.  I would suggest that much as we would try to improve the Constitution, Rules and Regulations and efficiency of the Electoral Commission, our main immediate concern should be about the behaviour, understanding and commitment to the rule of law by the Ghanaian.

A major reason for the delay in announcing the results of the election was the complaint that the ballot papers counted at some stations were more than the number of voters in the register.  I believe this has happened before and the officers in charge of stations should have seen to it that the practice did not continue.

First of all, it should have been seen to it that a voter had only one ballot paper.  Secondly, ballot papers not used should immediately be placed into safe, secure custody.  We do not expect Parliament or the Electoral Commissioner and her team to be responsible for this.  The senior officer in charge of the polling station should see to it that malpractices did not occur.

What should have been foreseen was that such and similar acts were illegal and would attract severe penalties.  And what is even more important, those caught committing such crimes should face the penalties prescribed.  The main reason why many crimes are committed in Ghana is that offenders can escape the consequences of their misdeeds by appealing to relations, party bigwigs and friends to intercede on their behalf.

The new leader would do well to make it clear that the Presidency and the party would not shield those who flout the laws of the country.  Another example of inefficiency by high officials which caused delay in announcing the election results is that some ballot boxes were reported to have arrived after the counting of votes.  In the bad old days I would have punished the officer concerned by demotion in rank or similar measure.  He should have seen to it that counting started after the arrival of all voting boxes. And if boxes arrived after all valid boxes had been accounted for, the matter of appearance of strange boxes should be reported to the security officers even before the Electoral Commissioner was informed.

We can only improve the electoral process if all officials do their work and if we the people understand the process and do our duty.  By the time you read this the results would have been announced.  We wish the elected President and Parliamentarians well.  We the people should demand the best of our representatives.  We pay them from the taxes on our hard-earned pay.  We cannot demand less hard work.  The future depends not on promises and brilliant speeches but on galvanising the people to work for self and nation.

K. B. Asante