Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, a local governance expert, has stated that encouraging public engagement is one of the best ways to raise interest in local governance and voter turnout in this year's District Level Election (DLE).
He noted that if nothing was done about the DLE's historically poor attendance, forecasts have been made that the 2023 DLE might not garner more than 35% turnout.
He said that DLE must be held every four years, at least six months apart from the Presidential and parliamentary elections, in accordance with Section Six of the Local Governance Act 2016 (Act 936), as modified by Act 940.
He said that the majority of Ghanaians, however, did not take an interest in local administration and, as a result, did not take part in the DLE.
In a paper he presented at a forum on this year's DLE, Dr. Osae claimed that the country's current local governance and decentralisation system had given local residents the ability to make decisions. This was done on purpose as part of the government's effort to ensure that all regions of the nation experienced equitable, quick, and balanced development.
increase voter participation
In order to encourage people to cast ballots during the DLE, he has consequently proposed the revision of Article 55(3) to permit political parties to support candidates for District and Unit Committee elections as they do for presidential elections.
Whether or not to change Article 55(3) of the 1992 Constitution to permit political parties to sponsor candidates in local government elections, including the election of MMDCEs at the lower level, he said that a national discussion was necessary.
instruction in DLE
Dr. Osae also urged traditional authorities, opinion leaders, and civil society groups to take an interest in educating their people about the DLE, especially women's involvement in local administration, in order to boost attendance.
"The NCCE should have adequate funding to begin its civic education and sensitization campaigns on the DLE as soon as possible.
The 2023 DLE timetable must also be released by the EC as soon as possible to generate interest, according to him.
He asserted that in order to make their expertise available to the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), professional groups must urge their members to run for office.
He advised them to cooperate with the district information officer to distribute information about the impending elections, noting that the MMDAs were the primary beneficiaries of the actions of those elected.
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