Musings on the vote

Several others interviewed, though not so dramatic as the lady, were quite firm in the responses that their vote was a secret; and these were delegates of the same party electing a candidate among several, also of the same party!

I have wondered why people say this or believe so fervently that their vote must be secret, because for me, voting is a right to be enjoyed. Of all the enjoyable things of life, sex, in my thinking, is the only thing to be enjoyed in a closet (though in our current world, some prefer it in public), and I certainly do not believe that voting is of the category of sex.

Rights are an inherent part of human beings and by their nature, are to be enjoyed, not in secret, but in the full glare of all, and that perhaps links as all as human beings. 

Take for instance, the right to food, people rarely eat in secret. except, of course, for those who like food! The right to associate, for instance, is infringed upon if 'enjoyed in secret'. Hence, what accounts for the notion of enjoying the right to vote in secret in the country?

The 1992 Constitution guarantees the right to vote in Article 42, and in Article 49, prescribes secret balloting as the mode in a public referendum or election. Article 49 might have been made for orderliness in the conduct of elections. It could also be a reflection of the need to curb the patronage that characterises all aspects of life and governance in the country.

The political elite of the country, not willing to openly govern by principles, laws, processes and systems, contrive means to maintain their hold on constituents and the people they govern.

In interviews with colleague journalists on the issue, victimisation was cited as the backlash for a Ghanaian in a polarised society, who disclosed the political candidate he or she voted for. "We are not in an environment where you can freely say who you voted for," was the common refrain. 

Perhaps, if Article 49 had not been so prescribed, the pervasive hold of politicians would have reached as far as voting booths to intimidate people in voting for them.

The Constitution might have intended Article 49 for orderly polls, or to stave off the prying eyes of politicians from polling stations, but I submit that until the right to vote is enjoyed in freedom, it is not a right at all.

In developed economies, exit polls, right at the entrances of polling areas, are carried out for a fair idea of who would be emerging winner. Various surveys are carried out and people freely speak their minds on policies, for which reason they would vote for a particular candidate.

The deficit of our politics have affected all of us, to the extent that we are stuck to flimsy political squabbles, unable even to be bold on who we vote for, for fear of being negatively labelled.

The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in the 2012 elections monitored the right to vote, that is, the opportunities available for Ghanaians in exercising the right, and said that generally the right had been enjoyed in the election.

It would be pleasant indeed, to have the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) work in such a way that by the next election, Ghanaians would be so sensitised to the extent of having no fear in voicing who they vote for. 

The right to vote cannot be fully enjoyed, except expressed without inhibition.

Article by Caroline Boateng

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