VZCZCXRO8452
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAR #0325/01 0671320
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 071320Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6244
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ACCRA 000325 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL GH
SUBJECT: NDC Leadership Raises Concern over Preparations for 2008 
Election. 
 
REF: Accra 187 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY.  In a February 27 meeting with Poloff and visiting 
Ghana Desk Officer Dana Banks, opposition National Democratic 
Congress (NDC) leaders expressed strong concerns over voter 
registration in advance of the December presidential and 
parliamentary elections, citing unusually large increases in 
registered voters in a traditional New Patriotic Party (NPP) 
stronghold region.  NDC party leadership expressed concern over the 
capability of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the judicial system 
to resolve potential election-related disputes, and urged the EC to 
enact measures to reduce voting fraud.  NDC leaders believe the EC 
lacks sufficient funding and oversight capability, and is failing to 
adequately communicate with political parties.  They also vowed 
passage of anti-corruption legislation as their top priority if 
elected, dispelled rumors of NDC flag-bearer John Atta Mills' health 
problems, and urged the U.S. to send election observers in December 
¶2008.  END SUMMARY 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
Party Leaders Urge Action to Prevent Election Violence 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament Doe Adjaho began the 
discussion by claiming that a Kenya-like scenario of post-election 
violence could occur in Ghana if specific steps to reduce voting 
irregularities were not taken. (COMMENT: As discussed reftel, the 
Kenya crisis has raised the stakes in Ghana.  However, some local 
observers believe a Kenya-style crisis is unlikely here as Ghana 
does not have the same underlying tensions as Kenya, and has already 
experienced a transfer of power from one party to another In 
addition, the EC's recent decision not to implement the 
controversial overseas voting law has removed a contentious issue, 
and the EC's plan to reconvene the Inter-Party Advisory Committee 
(IPAC) will provide a useful forum for election-related 
communication and dispute resolution. END COMMENT) Adjaho presented 
data from the EC documenting the change in registered voters, by 
constituency, between 2004 and 2006.  Thirteen constituencies in the 
Ashanti region, a stronghold for the incumbent New Patriotic Party 
(NPP), witnessed more than 100% growth in registered voters between 
2004 and 2006, while increases throughout the remaining 217 regions 
in Ghana averaged only 5.5% (with no district outside Ashanti having 
an increase over 10%).  NDC National Chairman Dr. Kwabena Adjei 
stated that this registration data demonstrates a "deliberate 
attempt to steal votes" and raises concerns over the legitimacy of 
the December election.  The NDC leadership presented additional 
examples of election irregularities, alleging that while conducting 
voter registration drives in NPP-held districts, the EC spent more 
days, brought more registration forms, and provided more extensive 
public outreach relative to registration drives in opposition 
strongholds. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The NDC leadership also claimed that the judicial system 
has proven to be an ineffective outlet for resolving election 
disputes.  They noted that following the 2004 presidential election, 
NDC candidate John Atta Mills publicly urged supporters to allow the 
courts to address party grievances over alleged voting fraud 
(including complaints that voter registration data was undercounting 
opposition districts).  General Secretary Asiedu Nketiah noted that 
the NDC's petitions from 2004 continue to languish in court, 
rendering the judicial system an unreliable channel for resolution 
of future election conflicts.  He said NDC leaders also risk losing 
legitimacy with party rank and file by reiterating calls for faith 
in the courts. Adjaho stated the NDC hoped to keep the peace, but in 
the event of clear vote rigging, "when pushed to the wall, we cannot 
hold the people back".  Desk officer Banks reminded that NDC party 
members would take their cue from the party leadership and urged 
them to pursue legal, and most importantly peaceful, resolution in 
the event of irregularities. 
 
-------------------------------------------- 
NDC Lacks Confidence in Electoral Commission 
-------------------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) Expressing guarded confidence in the EC, General Secretary 
Nketiah raised serious concern over the EC's handling of voter 
registration.  The NDC plans to present several recommendations to 
the EC for correcting voting irregularities, and plans to call for: 
modification of the results form used by polling stations; mandating 
voter ID photos be taken at the same time as registration; and 
requiring voter registration to occur at all 21,000 polling stations 
(The EC currently plans to open registration at 5,000 stations). 
Nketiah welcomed the EC's recent decision to forestall 
implementation of the controversial Representation of the People's 
Amendment Law (ROPAL) that would permit Ghanaians living abroad to 
vote in 2008.  Nketiah believed that ROPAL would have unfairly 
disadvantaged the NDC in favor of the NPP.   NDC Advisor Alexander 
Segbefia expressed concern over the EC funding deficit, fearing the 
EC would be unable to address NDC concerns due to lack of resources. 
 He also stated voter registration delays exist due to current 
funding problems. (NOTE: In the last several weeks, the Ministry of 
 
ACCRA 00000325  002 OF 002 
 
 
Finance and Electoral Commission have indicated to Development 
Partners that there would be a $12 million budget shortfall in the 
EC's budget.  This came despite indications in 2007 that the 
government would fully fund EC activities. END NOTE) 
 
¶5. (SBU) NDC leadership also expressed concern over the diminished 
role of the Inter-Party Advocacy Committee (IPAC), a gathering of 
political parties to provide input on EC policies and activities. 
Historically, IPAC has provided parties with regular communication 
on EC activities and served as a forum for building consensus on EC 
policies.  Nketiah stated that IPAC now meets infrequently (twice in 
the past two years) and that parties learn of EC policy decisions 
from the media rather than through direct communications.  IPAC no 
longer provides a forum to discuss and resolve issues, thus 
exacerbating current tensions over election policies. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Adjaho said that the NDC's top legislative priority would 
be to enact a Freedom of Information Act. The NDC leadership faulted 
the government with failure to pass anti-corruption bills and 
adequately fund existing accountability bodies.  Adjaho also stated 
an NDC-led government would focus on creating an environment of law 
and order to better encourage foreign direct investment in Ghana. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
Rumors of Atta-Mills' Health Problems Dispelled 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶7. (SBU) In response to media speculation on NDC candidate John Atta 
Mills' health, the leadership said that the media reports are part 
of the NPP propaganda campaign.  Party leaders pointed to Atta 
Mills' attendance at the state dinner for President Bush February 
20th and his participation in a door-to-door campaign in Accra as 
proof that his health is sound. Chairman Adjei claimed they were 
false and that "the less said about such rumors the better." 
 
--------------------------------- 
U.S. Election Observers Requested 
--------------------------------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) Chairman Adjei urged the U.S. to send election observers in 
December and to exercise caution before formally recognizing a 
presidential victor, to ensure that voting has been free and fair. 
 
 
------- 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶9. (SBU) The NDC's complaints over preparations for the 2008 
election, including concerns with voter registration, EC funding, 
and dispute resolution, illustrate the continuing bitterness and 
polarization in Ghanaian politics, and suggest that there are 
significant potential pitfalls going into the 2008 campaign.  The 
concern over the EC and courts' failure to resolve disputes from the 
2004 election (the NDC's challenge was never resolved) could also 
undermine those within the NDC who support the legal process to 
resolve problems in what is expected to be a close and contentious 
election in December. END COMMENT. 
 
BRIDGEWATER