More than half of respondents in a study conducted by the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) have expressed confidence and trust in the Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct free, fair and credible elections in December.
A report of the study released by the NCCE in Accra yesterday said 4,946 out of 7,435 respondents, representing 66.5 per cent, interviewed said the EC had a good reputation, a good track record and competent staff and was a constitutionally mandated body to conduct elections and declare results.
They, however, suggested some changes with regard to the electoral system, including a new voters register, free and fair conduct of elections and improvement in the biometric voting technology/E voting and counting/simplify EC form.
According to the report, education, health and employment were ranked in that order as issues of concern to voters, out of the 16 areas selected for the survey.
On the growth and maintenance of democracy in Ghana, the respondents acknowledged that one of the main threats to democratic stability in the country was election violence but were convinced that violence could be minimised through civic education.
They were of the view that citizens needed to defend the 1992 Constitution against all forms of abuse and violation to safeguard the country’s democracy.
On how the country was growing its democracy, the respondents said Ghana was doing well in terms of respect for human dignity and freedom of speech but said they were not satisfied with the level of commitment to civic responsibilities, the rule of law and improvement in living conditions in the country.
Important issues
Presenting an overview of the report, the Secretary and Head of the Research, Gender and Equality Department of the NCCE, Mr Tito Voegborlo, stated that the study interviewed 7,435 respondents, out of whom 3,991 (53.7 per cent) were males, while 3,444 (46.3 per cent) were females.
The study established that a sizable number of Ghanaians were ready to vote for a woman as President of the country.
Also sampled were 268 respondents who were persons with disabilities, he said.
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