Introduction
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has officially set Tuesday, December 19, 2023, as the date for the 2023 District Level Elections (DLE). The DLE refers to the election of Assembly and Unit Committee Members who are mandated to ensure the overall development of the districts in the country. The overall essence of the DLE is to ensure decentralization, by transferring political and administrative power to local authorities and promoting grassroots participation in local decision-making.
According to Section 6 (1&2) of Act 936, the DLE shall be held every four years and shall be held six months apart from parliamentary elections. So far eight district-level elections have been held in Ghana since the inception of decentralization in 1988: 1988/1989, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2019. What this means is that, the tenure of Assembly and Unit Committee Members who were elected into office in 2019 will end in December 2023, necessitating the election of new members.
The voting exercise is expected to take place in 6,272 electoral areas in 266 of the 268 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) across the country. The remaining two districts, Nkrozanza South and North, will not participate in the upcoming election, as elections were conducted in these districts in 2021 instead of 2019, primarily due to security reasons. In view of this, elections for these districts will take place in 2025.
As Ghanaians will be making yet another crucial decision to elect their leaders at the local level, the African Elections Project takes a critical look at how issues such as women's participation, political interference, and monetization will shape the upcoming district level elections (DLE).
Women participation
According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, women make up about 50.7% of the total population in Ghana. However, women's representation at the assemblies currently stands at 3.8%, a number below the United Nations recommended threshold of 30% in representation.
An analysis of results from the District
Assembly elections over the years reveals a concerning trend. In 2006,
for instance, there were 478 women elected out of a total of 1772 women
candidates. However, by 2019,
the number of women elected had significantly decreased to just 216, despite
there being a total of 909 women candidates that contested. This decline
underscores the need for greater efforts to promote and support women's
participation in Ghana's district-level elections.
Various research studies have shed light on the persistent challenges that hinder women's participation in district-level elections in Ghana. According to a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report, the prominent factor contributing to the low levels of women's participation in the district elections is attributed primarily to the pervasive influence of male dominance within Ghanaian society. This phenomenon is a significant aspect of the Ghanaian social structure, wherein women's roles and status are generally perceived to be subordinate to those of men across various dimensions of social, political, and economic life.
In the context of the 2023 district-level elections, the issue of low female participation warrants national attention. Achieving gender parity in women's participation in local government is a matter of utmost national significance in our quest to promote social justice and work towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals. By actively supporting and voting for more women in these assemblies, we can help foster greater gender equality and ensure equal representation in grassroots decision-making. It is through these collective efforts that we can work towards a more equitable and inclusive democratic landscape that truly reflects the diversity and aspirations of our country.
Political Interference
Per the District Assembly Elections Act, 1994 (Act 473), candidates participating in the District Assembly and Unit Committee Elections are required to run as individuals, independently of any political party, organization, or group. The aim is to maintain a non-partisan nature for the District Assembly Level Elections. Consequently, Article 55 (3) of the 1992 Constitution strictly prohibits political parties from endorsing or financially supporting specific candidates. Likewise, candidates are not allowed to incorporate party colours, symbols, or slogans into their campaign materials. Any violation of these rules could result in fines for political parties or the cancellation of a candidate's nomination.
Despite these clear legal provisions that seek to keep the elections non-partisan, it is often observed that political parties and candidates do not fully adhere to these regulations. For instance, in 2015, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) reported that some political parties continue to support candidates, either discreetly or openly.
The habit of political parties supporting candidates in district-level elections to protect their interests in every decision could not only thwart the progress of assemblies but can also result in drawbacks in terms of decision-making. When political parties support or sponsor candidates in district assembly elections, they are essentially politicizing the local government process. This can make decision-making at the local level difficult, as elected members may be more likely to do the bidding of their parties, rather than making decisions that are in the best interests of their communities.
Monetization
At the district assembly level elections, the issue of monetization - where money influences elections - has historically been less significant compared to the presidential and parliamentary elections. Unlike in the presidential and parliamentary elections, where it has often been characterised by vote buying, the situation is quite difffernt at the local level.
In the local elections, candidates are usually focused on community issues and often lack the financial means to offer financial incentives to voters or conduct costly campaigns. This financial gap between district and national-level candidates is an important factor in the limited extent of monetization at the district level.
In summary, while monetization remains a concern in Ghana's elections, it is important to understand that the financial limitations of district-level candidates have historically resulted in less extensive monetization in local elections compared to national ones. This distinction highlights the need for tailored support for candidates at different levels and underscores the unique context of district assembly elections in Ghana's democratic process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 2023 District Assembly Elections in Ghana presents a multifaceted picture of the country's local democracy. In essence, the 2023 District Assembly Elections in Ghana offers an opportunity for Ghana to reaffirm its commitment to decentralization, local democracy, and inclusive governance. Addressing the challenges of women's participation, political interference, and potential monetization will contribute to building a more equitable, accountable, and responsive local government system, aligning with the broader goals of sustainable development and social justice in Ghana.
AEP
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