The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised concerns over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) certified voter register for the December 7 election.
The NDC claims the register lacks essential voter data required to verify its accuracy and credibility.
The Director of IT and Elections, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, raised these concerns in a Facebook post after the EC made the data available to political parties.
According to him, specific data points such as comprehensive National Voter Statistics, Regional and Constituency Voter Statistics, Absentee Voter Statistics, Gender Statistics, and data on Proxy Voters are essential for transparency and credibility.
However, these were missing from the EC’s certified register, emphasizing that they are vital for assessing the register’s completeness and for validating the demographic distribution of voters.
He has therefore called on the EC to address these gaps urgently, explaining why the NDC insisted on a forensic audit.
“You may recall that following the deep discrepancies identified in the provisional voters’ register, we demanded a forensic audit, which the Electoral Commission turned down. That forensic audit awaits the EC from January 2025.”
“But even before the first ballot is cast, the relevance of the forensic audit is beginning to show and expose those who clandestinely connived with the Commission to prevent the much-needed forensic audit of the register. Meanwhile, the audit of the IT system also remains outstanding,” he stated.
View Omane Boamah’s Facebook statement below.
The Electoral Commission: still casting doubts and clouds over the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections
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The Electoral Commission’s omission of critical voter data undermines transparency and credibility of the 2024 General Elections
It is necessary to bring to the attention of Ghanaians, all political stakeholders, and the international community our deep concerns regarding the actions and omissions of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana as we approach the crucial 2024 General Elections.
You may recall that following the deep discrepancies identified in the provisional voters register we demanded a forensic audit, which the Electoral Commission turned down. That forensic audit awaits the EC from January 2025.
But even before the first ballot is cast, the relevance of the forensic audit is beginning to show and shame those who clandestinely connived with the Commission to prevent the much needed forensic audit of the register. Meanwhile the audit of the IT system also remains outstanding.
We must note that the competence, credibility and transparency of the EC is central to the integrity of any electoral process, and recent developments raise significant doubts about the Commission’s commitment to conducting a fair and impartial election.
Yesterday, the 6th of November, 2024, as America was witnessing the re-election of a former President, the EC invited all political parties to receive copies of the final voters register.
Shockingly, the register provided lacked essential voter data necessary for verifying its credibility:
• National Voter Statistics,
• Regional and Constituency Voter Statistics,
• Absentee Voter Statistics,
• Statistics on Proxy Voters.
This data is fundamental for transparency, ensuring political parties and civil society organizations can thoroughly scrutinize and validate the voters register.
The omission of such critical information limits the ability of political stakeholders to verify the completeness and accuracy of the voters register, which is the backbone of credible elections.
By withholding these vital statistics, the Electoral Commission is casting further doubts and clouds over the transparency of the upcoming elections and threatening the legitimacy of the electoral outcome.
1. Transparency and Trust: Elections are only credible when all parties and stakeholders trust the processes involved. The EC’s omission of essential voter data not only erodes this trust but also limits accountability.
2. Credibility of the Voters Register: The absence of vital data raises serious questions about the reliability of the register itself because voters and political parties deserve to know if the list reflects an accurate and updated register of the Ghanaian electorate.
3. Violation of Democratic Principles: By acting without full transparency, the EC risks damaging Ghana’s democratic reputation.
• The Electoral Commission to immediately rectify these omissions and make available the full statistical breakdown of the voters register,
• Civil Society Organisations, the international community and the Media to demand accountability from the EC and support efforts to ensure transparent, credible elections, and
• International Observers to take note of these troubling developments and closely monitor the EC’s actions leading up to and during the elections.
Ghanaians deserve a transparent, free, and fair electoral process!
Still keep #EAGLEEYES on the Electoral Commission and the NPP.
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