What If ‘Abstain’ Was Made An Option On Election 2024 Ballot Paper?

December 7, 2024, will see Ghana go to the polls once again. The task will be simple: we have to elect new leaders at the national and parliamentary levels of governance.

Although many parties will contest, the bigger concession has, for the past years, been that it will end up as a two-horse race between the NPP and NDC.

Truth be told, political watchers are looking forward to the turn of events come December 7th with how things have unfolded thus far. Yes, there is NPP and NDC, but there is also Alan Kyerematen and his Movement for Change. Some are wondering if Nana Kwame Bediako (AKA Cheddar/Freedom Jacob Caesar) and ‘The New Force’ Movement can also change something.

These two contenders, while there’s work to do, seem to have some wind in their sails that could propel them in this race, at least to make a statement. Coming from the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) as a stalwart and experienced politician with a track record to boast of, some say Alan Kyerematen could weigh down the chances of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and the NPP to ‘Break The Eight’.

Nana Kwame Bediako and ‘The New Force’ Movement also seem to appeal to the youth, who are large enough to consider a deciding constituency in this election. Additionally, if the calls for #FixTheCountry and #OccupyJulorbiHouse are anything to go by, then he could present that fresh air youths in the country have craved for years. If he gets that resounding support, with no ‘political sins’ attached to his record, ‘The New Force’ could be a force to reckon with come December 7th and beyond.

Whatever the case will be in the scenarios above, there is a lot to look out for in the upcoming elections. Not forgetting Parliament and the historic plus-one-person majority the ruling party has.

After looking at all these, it could be worth considering that some Ghanaians might want to have their views represented in a way that is currently not represented on the ballot papers.