Jean Mensa
The Electoral Commission (EC) has called on the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to submit data on discrepancies they have identified in the voters’ register, to enable a thorough investigation and resolution.
This comes after the NDC threatened to demonstrate over alleged flaws in the register on September 17, 2024.
The EC believes that dialogue, not demonstrations, is the surest way to achieve a credible and robust register.
Despite repeated requests, the NDC is yet to provide the necessary data, leading the EC to question their stance.
“We urge them to submit details of the discrepancies they have identified to enable the Commission investigate the issues and demonstrate to them that the concerns they have, have been resolved,” Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Chairman of the EC, stated.
Addressing the media last week, Mr. Tettey assured the NDC that the Commission would conduct a thorough investigation and report on the issues within a week, if the NDC submits the data to the EC.
According to him, the EC believes that taking to the streets will only cause tensions and suspicions, rather than ensuring a credible register.
“The EC believes that the best way to ascertain the credibility and integrity of the 2024 Voters’ Register is the discussion table, not on the streets.
“Taking to the streets will not ensure a credible register. It will only cause tensions and suspicions which are unwarranted,” he stressed.
The Deputy Commissioner called on former President John Dramani Mahama to encourage his party to engage in dialogue, assuring them of a transparent process.
“We are confident that the former President will heed to our calls and do everything in his power to bring his party to the discussion table,” Mr. Tettey noted.
“On our part, we assure the NDC of a transparent process that would demonstrate to them that all their concerns have been resolved,” he said.
According to him, the EC has corrected almost all identified discrepancies and remains committed to providing a robust and credible voters’ register for the 2024 general election.
The Deputy EC Commissioner urged the public to trust them to deliver a free, fair, transparent, and credible election.
Forensic Audit Rejection
The EC also dismissed the NDC’s proposal for a forensic audit of the provisional voters’ register, describing it as “premature” and “misguided”.
According to the EC, the voters’ exhibition exercise is an audit in itself and allows citizens to verify their details and point out discrepancies.
The EC argued that the NDC’s call for a forensic audit is unnecessary, as the Commission has the capacity and experience to address discrepancies in the register through the exhibition exercise.
“The law makes provision for the self-auditing of the Voters’ Register through the Voters Exhibition Exercise. We have been doing this since 1992, and it has worked,” the Deputy EC chair stated.
The Commission also questioned the purpose of the proposed forensic audit, asking who would fix the discrepancies in the register if the audit were to be conducted.
“The answer is, it is the same Commission that will fix the discrepancies, and that is what we are doing,” the EC said.
The EC urged the NDC to trust in the Commission’s ability to correct discrepancies in the provisional voters’ register, citing its success in doing so ahead of the 2020 elections.
By Ernest Kofi Adu