Former President John Dramani Mahama has called on Ghanaians not to 'skirt and blouse' when voting in the forthcoming general elections. Speaking at a rally in Accra, Mahama said voting should not be done without a similar pattern for both a presidential candidate and a parliamentary candidate from the same political party for political cohesion and effective governance.
Voting 'skirt and blouse' is a situation where one votes for a presidential candidate from one party and a parliamentary candidate from another. It makes a government not able to implement what is in the best interest of the people because the practice weakens their ability to do so, Mahama explained. He said when both the president and the legislature come from the same political party, it strengthens the administration and ensures smoother implementation of policies.
Skirt and blouse" voting is a term applied to the splitting of ballots, whereby voters vote for a presidential candidate from one party and a parliamentary candidate from another, usually in the case of disgruntlement over certain local or parliamentary candidates. Comments by Mahama appear to be directed at a widening trend among those voters who are disenchanted with both the ruling New Patriotic Party and the opposition National Democratic Congress.
Mahama, who is seeking re-election as the presidential candidate of the NDC, implored the electorate to vote strategically, emphasizing that the upcoming polls are a very critical moment in the development of Ghana. He warned that a split vote would mean the country is in a gridlock in terms of governance since the president and parliament would be of opposing parties, which will stall development.
While the former president acknowledged that there might be dissatisfaction with some parliamentary candidates, he called on Ghanaians to look beyond individual issues and see the bigger picture concerning national unity. "Our country cannot afford the risk of an unstable government. A vote for unity and coherence is a vote for progress," Mahama concluded.
This is an appeal as the election season heats up, with more serious political campaigning by all parties in advance of the December polls. The remarks from Mahama are thus expected to influence undecided voters and people considered to be pondering a 'skirt and blouse' strategy in the 2024 election.
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