Yesterday the voter transfer exercise which is another important milestone in our election process officially came to an end.  Media reports indicate that the exercise was without  challenges.  On the Cape Coast University campus, for instance, there were reports of violence during the exercise and there were  also several reports of eligible voters not being able to transfer their votes during the three-week exercise.  Long queues were recorded at some district offices where the exercise took place.  

Naturally some qualified voters have become disillusioned and therefore aggrieved that they cannot vote where they would like to do so on 7th December.  As a nation we cannot allow such electoral mishaps pass without proper examination of what might have been the cause and guide against any such mishaps especially as we are less than three weeks away from the main elections. Let’s face it, we have all been more concerned about peace before, during and after the elections than we are about educating voters about what their responsibilities are in the electoral process. To put it bluntly the voter transfer exercise was given the least publicity. Announcements on it were mostly appendages to other adverts mounted by the Electoral Commission.   

It is true that some Ghanaians are fond of waiting till the last minute to undertake serious civic activities. But to all intents and purposes public education on the voter-transfer exercise was totally inadequate.  Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana states that one of the functions of the Electoral Commission is to educate the people on the electoral process and its purpose.  Tt is not only the Electoral Commission which has the sole responsibility to ensure a peaceful election. The various political parties and numerous think tanks and non-governmental agencies also have a role to play.  In addition to organising laudable presidential debates the Institute of Economic Affairs , for example, should also engage in the education of the electorate with regard to the do’s and don’ts of eligible voters. Political parties are criss-crossing the length and breath of the nation canvassing for votes.

How many of them have been seen or heard educating their rank and file on their electoral responsibilities?  Churches are praying for peaceful elections but how many of them are educating their congregations about their responsibilities in the electoral process? Incessant public education is very necessary because at the end of the day it is the people who will vote and their knowledge of the electoral rules must be sharpened.  

We should let the events that characterized the voter-transfer exercise wake us up to the reality that we have consistently neglected the public education aspect of the electoral process.  It is not too late for all stakeholders to make amends.  The concern for the preaching about peace are necessary but not sufficient conditions for a successful election. Let’s all put our hands on deck and engage in serious public education exercise between now and 7th December because an educated voter is an enlightened voter and an enlightened voter can be depended upon for a peaceful election.