The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is all set to stage a mammoth demonstration this morning against the Electoral Commission’s (EC) over it reluctance to allow for a forensic auditing of the voter’s register.
It comes after the party identified several challenges with the voter’s register chief being the unsolicited transfers of names across the country.
The NDC at both national and constituency levels, has raised issues with the register in many areas such as Ajumako Enyan Essiam, Tamale South Sanarigu, Tolon, Pusiga among others.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the NDC’s Director of Elections, has expressed disappointment over EC’s rejection, arguing that a forensic audit is crucial to rebuilding trust in the electoral process.
The NDC highlighted concerns over alleged illegal transfers within the provisional register, warning that these could compromise the fairness of the 2024 elections.
In the Eastern Region for instance, the party said the discrepancies include illegal transfer of thousands of voters into and out of constituencies in the Region.
At a press conference in Koforidua on Monday, September 16, 2024, the party raised concerns over illegal voter transfers, discrepancies in proxy voting, and irregularities in the absentee voter list.
Jamal Konneh, the Eastern Regional Secretary of the NDC, claimed the EC is in collaboration with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.
“We called you here this morning to expose the ineptitude of the Electoral Commission and their agenda to plunge this region into chaos on Election Day,” Konneh stated. He emphasized that the alleged discrepancies threatened the credibility of the election, urging for immediate action.
The EC insists there is no need for the demonstration because they have already corrected the mistakes detected by the party. Interestingly, the Commission at a press conference was rather worried how the protest was going to increase political temperature. The Commission argues request for forensic audit was premature and that voter exhibition exercise already serves as audit.
“The commission is of the view that such an audit will add no value whatsoever to the well-defined, tried, and tested process documented for the cleaning and strengthening of the provisional voters register. The question is, should the forensic audit be conducted, who will fix the discrepancies in the register?”
“The answer is it is the same commission that will fix the discrepancies, and that is what we are doing. It is for this reason that the EC is of the view that the call for a forensic audit is misguided.
“The commission believes that, as has been the case in the past, the exhibition exercise will continue to strengthen the voters register,” he stated.
The NDC however is adamant saying the demonstration will definitely come as announced to the police and all Ghanaians.
Flagbearer of the party John Dramani Mahama, has endorsed the demonstrated which is going to be staged in every office of the Commission across the country.
Less than 24 hours to the demonstration, more well-meaning Ghanaians have backed the party’s call.
Founder of Moment for Change, Alan Kyerematen, has jumped into the fray advising the EC to address concerns identified by the NDC ahead of the December election.
According to him, the commission has the mandate to conduct free and fair elections and must ensure that all stakeholders trust the system. If concerns are raised about the process, he said the EC should work to clear any doubts in the minds of the people.
Mr. Kyerematen stated that the NDC, being a major stakeholder, has pointed out certain discrepancies. Therefore, the EC has the responsibility to prove that it is committed to running a free and fair election.
“For the sake of ensuring the integrity of the elections, to respond to the specific cases that have been identified about irregularities in the voters’ register.
It only goes to enhance the credibility of the commission. Yes. It [ forensic audit] has to be. I am not sure why there should be a resistance to that. Because, yes the Electoral Commission has indicated that they have responded to those comments.
But we have to put all reasonable doubt. There is a need to have a credible voters register. So if there is an indication that there is still doubt associated with the electoral register, then let us allow an extensive comprehensive audit, which can be done without any difficulty,” he said.
Also wading in is the Dean of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, Prof Ernest Kofi Abotsi, has recommended that the EC accept the call to audit the voter register ahead of the 2024 general elections.
He emphasised that an audit would be in the EC’s best interest, as it would help clarify any concerns or allegations of a bloated voter roll raised by the NDC and other stakeholders.
According to Professor Abotsi, such a move would enhance the Commission’s credibility and demonstrate its commitment to transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
In a post on X, he further stated that the EC should welcome these calls for an audit, as they serve to strengthen the institution’s integrity and public confidence in the election system.
“The EC’s position on the request for an audit of the register is baffling & even troubling! For even if they deny the merit of the claims, audits by their nature confirm or refute allegations, and for a constitutional body whose mandate is rooted in perceptions of fairness and neutrality, it is in its own interest and that of Ghana that it dispels, not fight, allegations of a bloated register through an audit.”
Meanwhile, private legal practitioner, Tony Lither has also called on Ghanaians to join the party to hit the streets with the NDC today.
The astute lawyer in a social media post said “Whether or not there is truth in the allegations about the voters register, sufficient prima facie information has been provided in support. It is baffling in fact irresponsible, that the Electoral Commission, the constitutional body responsible for elections, would resist calls for transparent effort to deal with the concerns raised or, at the very least, allow an audit to allay fears. That is impunity. Prevention is better than cure. I therefore urge all well-meaning Ghanaians, young and old, who have the interest pf the country at heart to put on their jeans, shirts, jogging bottoms and t-shirts and join tomorrow’s demonstration. You will be performing your civic duty of holding our institutions accountable”.
The protest which is expected to attract thousands of party members, sympathizers and concerned Ghanaians is one of activities designed to force the EC to listen to the opposition party.
Deputy Director of Election, IT of the NDC Dr. Rashid Tanko Computer said the party will activate other activities if the EC doesn’t act on their call after the demonstration. “We have other plans for them, when we get to the bridge, we will cross”, he said on Top Story on Joy FM yesterday.
Already, many both young and old across the country are excited about the demonstration today and have expressed their desire to be part of the moment.
In the Volta Region, a stronghold of the NDC, some 20,000 residents are expected to throng the streets of Ho to participate in tomorrow’s demonstration against the EC.
The demonstration led by the NDC seeks among other things to compel the EC to rectify anomalies and discrepancies identified by the opposition party, heading into the 2024 December elections.
The region’s party Secretary, James Gunu made this known in an interview with Joy News at the Volta Regional Secretariat in Ho, on Monday.
He explained that activists of other political parties who have also raised their voices against the anomalies identified would join the demonstration together with residents from all walks of life.
“The number of protestors we are expecting will be getting to 20,000. You know it is our [NDC] World Bank, our stronghold, so a lot of people [will turn up]. Let us expect beyond 20,000 to pour into the streets of Ho tomorrow to demonstrate against the Jean Mensah-led electoral commission,” he said.