allegations of electoral fraud laughable – Ben Ephson

The Editor-in-Chief of the “Daily Dispatch”, Mr. Ben Ephson, has described as “funny” allegations of electoral fraud made by the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to him, allegations of rigging were reported by the NPP in the 2008 elections, and now that the NDC was in power they (NDC) were making the same allegations. He wondered if such allegations made sense and advised the current NDC administration that as a government in power, it behoves on them to ensure that all electoral rules are adhered to.

Mr. Ben Ephson tasked the government to ensure that tireless efforts are put in place to ensure electoral violence is made unattractive.

“…due to the multiplicity of the media now,…you cannot, do it and get away with it…The state must not be afraid to use reasonable force to ensure sanity,” he stated.

Touching on the next general elections, the renowned pollster posited that the stakes would be so high in 2012, adding that any party that “loses” the elections will “split”.

“…I’m telling you that 2012 the stakes are going to be higher because whichever party loses 2012 the party will be split…the gov’t of the day must ensure that there is sanity…how can opposition party rig an election?…as a gov’t there is a limit to what you can do, but you must make sure that there is sanity and order in the society. They can talk…people will bash you but you must ask your conscience that have i done the right thing for this country, and you move on,” Ben Ephson.

Mr. Ephson factored in the role of journalists and reminded them that if the nation suffered any mayhem, they will suffer most.

“…The media must bear in mind that when there is mayhem they will be the first casualty,” he added.

Source: Chris Joe Quaicoe/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Institute of Journalism