NDC Leadership Raises Concern over Preparations for 2008

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 000325 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GH SUBJECT: NDC Leadership Raises Concern over Preparations for 2008 Election. REF: Accra 187 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. In a February 27 meeting with Poloff and visiting Ghana Desk Officer Dana Banks, opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) leaders expressed strong concerns over voter registration in advance of the December presidential and parliamentary elections, citing unusually large increases in registered voters in a traditional New Patriotic Party (NPP) stronghold region. NDC party leadership expressed concern over the capability of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the judicial system to resolve potential election-related disputes, and urged the EC to enact measures to reduce voting fraud. NDC leaders believe the EC lacks sufficient funding and oversight capability, and is failing to adequately communicate with political parties. They also vowed passage of anti-corruption legislation as their top priority if elected, dispelled rumors of NDC flag-bearer John Atta Mills' health problems, and urged the U.S. to send election observers in December ¶2008. END SUMMARY -------------- -------------- Party Leaders Urge Action to Prevent Election Violence -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament Doe Adjaho began the discussion by claiming that a Kenya-like scenario of post-election violence could occur in Ghana if specific steps to reduce voting irregularities were not taken. (COMMENT: As discussed reftel, the Kenya crisis has raised the stakes in Ghana. However, some local observers believe a Kenya-style crisis is unlikely here as Ghana does not have the same underlying tensions as Kenya, and has already experienced a transfer of power from one party to another In addition, the EC's recent decision not to implement the controversial overseas voting law has removed a contentious issue, and the EC's plan to reconvene the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) will provide a useful forum for election-related communication and dispute resolution. END COMMENT) Adjaho presented data from the EC documenting the change in registered voters, by constituency, between 2004 and 2006. Thirteen constituencies in the Ashanti region, a stronghold for the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP),witnessed more than 100% growth in registered voters between 2004 and 2006, while increases throughout the remaining 217 regions in Ghana averaged only 5.5% (with no district outside Ashanti having 
an increase over 10%). NDC National Chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei stated that this registration data demonstrates a "deliberate attempt to steal votes" and raises concerns over the legitimacy of the December election. The NDC leadership presented additional examples of election irregularities, alleging that while conducting voter registration drives in NPP-held districts, the EC spent more days, brought more registration forms, and provided more extensive public outreach relative to registration drives in opposition strongholds. ¶3. (SBU) The NDC leadership also claimed that the judicial system has proven to be an ineffective outlet for resolving election disputes. They noted that following the 2004 presidential election, NDC candidate John Atta Mills publicly urged supporters to allow the courts to address party grievances over alleged voting fraud (including complaints that voter registration data was undercounting opposition districts). General Secretary Asiedu Nketiah noted that the NDC's petitions from 2004 continue to languish in court, rendering the judicial system an unreliable channel for resolution of future election conflicts. He said NDC leaders also risk losing legitimacy with party rank and file by reiterating calls for faith in the courts. Adjaho stated the NDC hoped to keep the peace, but in the event of clear vote rigging, "when pushed to the wall, we cannot hold the people back". Desk officer Banks reminded that NDC party members would take their cue from the party leadership and urged them to pursue legal, and most importantly peaceful, resolution in the event of irregularities. -------------- NDC Lacks Confidence in Electoral Commission -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Expressing guarded confidence in the EC, General Secretary Nketiah raised serious concern over the EC's handling of voter registration. The NDC plans to present several recommendations to the EC for correcting voting irregularities, and plans to call for: modification of the results form used by polling stations; mandating voter ID photos be taken at the same time as registration; and requiring voter registration to occur at all 21,000 polling stations (The EC currently plans to open registration at 5,000 stations). Nketiah welcomed the EC's recent decision to forestall implementation of the controversial Representation of the People's Amendment Law (ROPAL) that would permit Ghanaians living abroad to vote in 2008. Nketiah believed that ROPAL would have unfairly disadvantaged the NDC in favor of the NPP. NDC Advisor Alexander Segbefia expressed concern over the EC funding deficit, fearing the EC would be unable to address NDC concerns due to lack of resources. He also stated voter registration delays exist due to current funding problems. (NOTE: In the last several weeks, the Ministry of ACCRA 00000325 002 OF 002 Finance and Electoral Commission have indicated to Development Partners that there would be a $12 million budget shortfall in the EC's budget. This came despite indications in 2007 that the government would fully fund EC activities. END NOTE) ¶5. (SBU) NDC leadership also expressed concern over the diminished role of the Inter-Party Advocacy Committee (IPAC),a gathering of political parties to provide input on EC policies and activities. Historically, IPAC has provided parties with regular communication on EC activities and served as a forum for building consensus on EC policies. Nketiah stated that IPAC now meets infrequently (twice in the past two years) and that parties learn of EC policy decisions from the media rather than through direct communications. IPAC no longer provides a forum to discuss and resolve issues, thus exacerbating current tensions over election policies. ¶6. (SBU) Adjaho said that the NDC's top legislative priority would be to enact a Freedom of Information Act. The NDC leadership faulted the government with failure to pass anti-corruption bills and adequately fund existing accountability bodies. Adjaho also stated an NDC-led government would focus on creating an environment of law and order to better encourage foreign direct investment in Ghana. -------------- -- Rumors of Atta-Mills' Health Problems Dispelled -------------- -- ¶7. (SBU) In response to media speculation on NDC candidate John Atta Mills' health, the leadership said that the media reports are part of the NPP propaganda campaign. Party leaders pointed to Atta Mills' attendance at the state dinner for President Bush February 20th and his participation in a door-to-door campaign in Accra as proof that his health is sound. Chairman Adjei claimed they were false and that "the less said about such rumors the better." -------------- U.S. Election Observers Requested -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Chairman Adjei urged the U.S. to send election observers in December and to exercise caution before formally recognizing a presidential victor, to ensure that voting has been free and fair. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The NDC's complaints over preparations for the 2008 election, including concerns with voter registration, EC funding, and dispute resolution, illustrate the continuing bitterness and polarization in Ghanaian politics, and suggest that there are significant potential pitfalls going into the 2008 campaign. The concern over the EC and courts' failure to resolve disputes from the 2004 election (the NDC's challenge was never resolved) could also undermine those within the NDC who support the legal process to resolve problems in what is expected to be a close and contentious election in December. END COMMENT. BRIDGEWATER