INVESTIGATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTORAL FRAUD IN A COMPETITIVE DEMOCRACY: A CASE STUDY OF GHANA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Background of the study

Internationally, elections serve as a means to assess the honesty and legitimacy of a democratic regime, as well as to ascertain the demise of authoritarian rule or the shift towards democracy. Oni (2015) argues that a credible election is determined by both people and the international world universally approving its behaviour as free and fair. Conducting an election and transitioning to democracy is distinct from consistently holding elections for an extended period of time after the transition. Additionally, it signifies the presence of legitimate elections that are universally seen as being both impartial and equitable by individuals and the global community. Stakeholders' acceptance of election results will enhance the probability of democratic consolidation.

Undoubtedly, Gans-Morse, Mazzuca, & Nichter (2021) said that in democratic contexts characterised by intense party competitiveness and genuine concern over the incumbent executive's ability to remain in power, an alternate explanation of election fraud naturally emerges. Electoral fraud is the act of violating established norms and principles that ensure the legitimacy of elections. It involves using deceit, untruth, manipulation, and cheating by any means to influence the election results. Ezeani (2005) defines electoral fraud as the commission of criminal acts by government officials, election conductors, political parties, organisations, or people with the malicious purpose to manipulate an election in favour of certain candidate(s) (Molina and Fabrice, 2019). Similarly, Kramon, & Posner (2023) argued that in democratic systems, political parties serve as the key participants in competition over power and may have vested interests in engaging in election fraud. A theory of election fraud applicable to democratic regimes posits that it is perpetrated by political party operatives with the aim of securing victory in contested elections. An appropriate term to describe a theory aimed at comprehending this phenomenon is "party-centered." Collier and Vicente (2022) argue that in competitive democracies, it is widely acknowledged that the incumbent party is mostly responsible for perpetrating electoral fraud. This is due to the party's superior access to resources and its influence over the electoral administration.

Notably, Electoral fraud is universally condemned and subject to censorship. Therefore, it is imperative to have a strong aversion towards any form of electoral misconduct. If unethical acts such as manipulating elections, excessive use of funds, employing violence against political opponents, and similar actions are allowed to continue without restraint, politicians will inevitably foster a detrimental culture of 'political theft'. This eventually weakens the effectiveness of elections as a method for peacefully transferring political power and as a way of validating political authority.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Election malpractices have hampered efforts to consolidate democracy in Ghana's fourth republic, even after two decades of democratic experimentation. Öhman, Magnus (2020) mtnioned tha the crisis of democratic consolidation arises from the challenges posed by election fraud, which are evident in the form of corruption, instability, and feeble democratic institutions. In contrast, Molina and Fabrice (2019) added that Ghana exhibits several factors that are known to increase the likelihood of election fraud and mismanagement. This democracy is very new, having seen a history characterized by colonial control, military coups, and democratic disintegration. Political parties in Ghana continue to have concerns that the defeated candidate in an election would relinquish power and allow for a change in leadership. The executive possesses significant authority, hence intensifying the importance of the presidential competition. Parliamentary candidates participate in elections where they fight in single-member district plurality systems, which are known to have a higher incidence of fraudulent activities compared to other types of electoral systems (Birch, 2017).

Given that both main parties garner about equal levels of voter support, even little fluctuations in the number of votes received by their presidential candidates, as well as minor variations in voter turnout, have the potential to significantly impact the outcome of the election.The Hindu (2023) said that accusations of deceit and other abnormalities, such as pre-election aggression, have been mostly reported in the strongholds of the country's two prominent political parties. Allegations have been made regarding the utilisation of intimidation by campaigners from the parties in regions where they have great influence, targeting members of the opposing minority party. Previous elections have witnessed incidents of ballot box theft in areas known for their strong political support, as well as instances of voters registering twice and the manipulation of results at collation centres after the election.

Most prior studies of election fraud have been conducted in settings of electoral authoritarianism. In these settings, fraud is committed by the incumbent regime.It seems broadly accepted that even in competitive democracies, the incumbent party is the main instigator of election fraud (Collier and Vicente, 2022). This is because of that party’s greater access to resources and control of the electoral administration. There is little research whose design permits empirical investigation of whether this is the case, or whether opposition parties also participate in election fraud. Likewise, considerations of how election fraud is orchestrated in democratic settings are underdeveloped. Answers to these questions carry practical importance for fraud prevention and are theoretically consequential for our understanding of how political parties operate in unconsolidated institutional environments. Upon this premise, the study seeks to investigation of political parties and electoral fraud in a competitive democracy: a case study of Ghana.

1.3 Objective of the study

The main aim of this is investigation of political parties and electoral fraud in a competitive democracy: a case study of Ghana. Specifically, the study seeks:

1. To examine the extent at which incumbent party perpetuate electoral fraud in Ghana

2. To find out factors that enhances incumbent party’s engagement in electoral fraud.

3. To determine whether opposition parties also participate in election fraud in Ghana.

4. To ascertain if electoral fraud by political parties has significant implication on Ghana democracy.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the extent at which incumbent party perpetuate electoral fraud in Ghana?

2. What are the factors that enhances incumbent party’s engagement in electoral fraud?

3. Does opposition parties also participate in election fraud in Ghana?

4. Does electoral fraud by political parties has significant implication on Ghana democracy.

1.5Research Hypotheses

Ho: Electoral fraud by political parties has no significant implication on Ghana democracy.

Hi: Electoral fraud by political parties has a significant implication on Ghana democracy.

1.6 Significance of the study

This research is significant in such a way that it electoral bodies, civil societies, and non-state actors through the result of the study would develop a framework spearheaded to strengthen democracy by mounting vigorous campaigns to educate the electorates not to accept financial or material rewards before they vote for a particular candidate or party as this amount to selling one’s conscience. It also x-rays the fundamental factors associated with election malpractice ad ultimately recommends ways for obviating them. It will serve as an eye opener to researchers, government officials and general readers who truly intend to understand the impediment to democratic consolidation in Ghana. Again, it will serve to sensitize the public and create awareness as to the destructive potentials of election malpractice towards the aspiration for democratization in Ghana. Empirically, the study will contribute to body of knowledge and serve as a reference material to student and scholars who wishes to conduct further studies in related field.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study borders on on investigation of political parties and electoral fraud in a competitive democracy: a case study of Ghana.. The study will further discuss factors that enhances incumbent party’s engagement in electoral fraud and determine whether opposition parties also participate in election fraud in Ghana.. The study will draw its participant from public servant in Ashanti Region Ghana .

1.8 Limitation of the study

The researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing that electoral discourse is vast thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size covering only potential voters in Ashanti Region Ghana . Thus findings of this study cannot be used for generalization for other District within Ghana. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work will impede maximum devotion to the research. Howbeit,

despite the constraint encountered during the research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.9 Definition of terms

Election: An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office. 

Election Malpractice: Election malpractice refers to all illegitimate acts carried out before, during and after elections in order to influence the outcomes of an election to the advantage of a particular political party and to the detriment of the other(s). Such illegitimate acts include rigging, thuggery, violence, intimidation, fraud, bribery, vote buying, misrepresentation and all sort of illegal manipulations hinged on altering the otherwise anticipated outcome of an election.

Democracy: The word democracy itself means rule by the people. A democracy is a system where people can change their rulers in a peaceful manner and the government is given the right to rule because the people say it may.

Democratic Consolidation: Democratic consolidation is the process by which a new democracy matures, in a way that it becomes unlikely to revert to authoritarianism without an external shock, and is regarded as the only available system of government within a country.