The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is pushing for transparency in Ghana’s electoral process by calling for a live broadcast of the upcoming Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, scheduled for October 1.
This request comes after the Electoral Commission (EC) rejected the NDC’s appeal to televise discussions about discrepancies found in the Provisional Voters Register (PVR).
The EC has urged stakeholders attending the IPAC meeting to present evidence and data to support any concerns they have with the PVR. However, the NDC claims that the EC has yet to provide adequate solutions to address the discrepancies, prompting their demand for a forensic audit.
Dr. Tanko Rashid Computer, NDC’s Deputy Director of Elections and IT, emphasized the importance of live broadcasting the meeting to gain public trust. “The 2024 general elections hinge on the register; everything about the election is about a credible register,” he stated.
The NDC’s concerns about the PVR include unauthorized log-ins, transfers, discrepancies, and potential data corruption. The party believes that a comprehensive review of the IT infrastructure and human processes behind the voter registration system is necessary to ensure integrity ahead of the 2024 General Election.
The EC, however, maintains that established legal and administrative processes for cleaning the register have not been fully utilized, making a forensic audit unnecessary at this time. According to the EC, the Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 91 acknowledges that the PVR is a draft register and allows for corrections through an Exhibition Exercise.
This exercise provides voters with the opportunity to inspect and correct any errors in the register. The EC plans to re-exhibit the corrected PVR online before finalizing the register for the 2024 General Election.
Despite the EC’s assurances, the NDC remains skeptical. Dr. Rashid questioned the EC’s reluctance to allow media presence, saying, “Why are they running away from the media if they don’t have anything to hide?”
The NDC’s push for transparency is crucial, as the 2024 general elections draw near. The party’s demands for a forensic audit and live broadcast aim to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.
The IPAC meeting on October 1 will be critical in addressing the outstanding issues with the voters’ register. The EC’s willingness to collaborate with stakeholders and provide evidence-based solutions will be closely watched.
As Ghana prepares for the 2024 elections, the need for transparency and credibility in the electoral process remains paramount. The outcome of the IPAC meeting will significantly impact the nation’s confidence in the electoral system.
