The Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George says one of the ways in finding solution to the high cost of elections for candidates and political parties is eliminating the culture of ‘winner takes all’.
Speaking on the floor of parliament on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 he said, parliament must be ingenious in finding solutions to the cost of elections for candidates and political parties.
“One of the things that we could do with regards to curbing campaign financing or the cost of elections in our country today, is to make sure that elections are no longer a winner takes all affair. Because so long as it’s the winner takes all affair everybody is going to put in everything and go broke. Because at the end of the day once you win it no matter the cost, it then gives you room to get corrupt to recoup your cost.”
He added that the election of MMDCE’s is one of the possible ways of putting an end to the winner takes all situation. Indicating that the election of MMDCE’s will bring back the ultimate goal of elections to its purpose of service to the citizenry and not just people occupying positions.
“One such good step may be the election of MMDCE’s. So long as it is not a winner takes all mentality, so long as you are not the all and everything then you will be able to handle some of the cost associated with campaign financing. Because then you know that winning an election is not the ultimate goal whatsoever, in the long run the ultimate goal is service to your people.”
He expressed hope in parliament to provide a platform for members to holistically explore issues of campaign financing. Which he said is a reality faced by members of parliament and all persons aspiring to be elected into office.
