An editorial captured in the SUNDAY NATION, A Kenyan news paper has hailed Ghana's electoral system,describing it as one that  usually allow the electoral commission  the luxury of time to have consultative meetings for years ahead of the main event.

The article however sees Ghana's electoral processes as one that gives no room for excuses.

"Unlike Ghana  and Nigeria, two countries that also witness highly competitive presidential elections, the electoral commissions there usually have the luxury of time." It reads.
"They can hold consultative meetings for years ahead of the main event and have no excuse for failure when Election Day comes."

The editorial comes with the headline " Act now or we’ll have another bungled poll" and it seeks to warn the Kenya's  joint parliamentary select committee looking into the issue of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to draw inspiration from Ghana.

"It is encouraging that the joint parliamentary select committee looking into the issue of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has made brisk progress"

"Its members deserve credit for the swiftness with which they persuaded the commissioners to accept to leave office so that a team that was broadly acceptable to all parties can come into place." it continued.

"However, it is important for all parties to recognise that time is of the essence. Elections in Kenya are a high-stakes affair."

Ghana's electoral process has been touted one of the best in Africa, drawing the accolade " beacon of democracy", despite some flashes misconducts.

The country has successfully organised peaceful elections since 1992, when it returned to the democratic system of Governance.

BIOMETRIC REGISTERATION BROUHAHA

Ghana, for the first time, adopted the biometric voter registration in the December 2012 election,  which later  brought electoral dispute when the opposition NPP challenged the result, citing some election ,malpractices.

The editorial in the sunady nation, draw some lessons from the Ghana experience, warning the Kenyan officials tio act fast beforebthings get out hands,

"How could it be that 7,000 of the biometric kits and 12,000 of the Electronic Voter Identification devices now no longer work?"

"Who is responsible for this? What measures are in place to ensure that this does not recur?"
"Kenyans will not tolerate another election season in which the poll outcome ends up engulfed in strong questions about its credibility."

Below is the full editorial from Kenya's Sunday Nation newspaper:

EDITORIAL: Act now or we'll have another bungled poll

To run a truly credible poll, elaborate preparations need to be put in place.

It is encouraging that the joint parliamentary select committee looking into the issue of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has made brisk progress.
Its members deserve credit for the swiftness with which they persuaded the commissioners to accept to leave office so that a team that was broadly acceptable to all parties can come into place.

However, it is important for all parties to recognise that time is of the essence. Elections in Kenya are a high-stakes affair.
To run a truly credible poll, elaborate preparations need to be put in place to build the public's confidence in the process and to close the loopholes that feed graft and mischief at the ballot box.
It is a well-known fact, for example, that emergency procurement processes are a favourite avenue that well-connected operatives use to line their own pockets.
Unlike Nigeria and Ghana, two countries that also witness highly competitive presidential elections, the electoral commissions there usually have the luxury of time.
They can hold consultative meetings for years ahead of the main event and have no excuse for failure when Election Day comes.
With the short period before the next election in mind, the select committee should set a tight deadline for its activities and even seek to complete the job before that period expires.
Also, there should be clear answers sought on the procurement process leading up to the last election.
It is a source of great concern that so much of the equipment that was purchased for the election has now malfunctioned.
How could it be that 7,000 of the biometric kits and 12,000 of the Electronic Voter Identification devices now no longer work? Who is responsible for this? What measures are in place to ensure that this does not recur?
Kenyans will not tolerate another election season in which the poll outcome ends up engulfed in strong questions about its credibility. Nor will they accept the games being played by some elected officials who would not mind the election being postponed.
The effect of election cycles on productivity and economic growth has been well recorded and this traces its roots squarely to the uncertainty surrounding elections and their credibility.
The select committee has a chance to put in place measures that end this vicious cycle.
However, they must appreciate that they do not have the luxury of time.