Various groups and experts have supported the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC’s) request for a forensic audit of the voter register ahead of the December polls.
The groups are the Centre for Democratic Development (CCD) Ghana, Technical Universities Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Frimpong-Manso Institute (FMI).
The experts are the Dean of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Law School, Prof. Ernest Kofi Abotsi, the Head of Political Science Department of the University of Ghana, Prof. Alidu Seidu, a senior fellow with the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), Francis Tsegah.
They expressed their views in statements issued in Accra yesterday and interviews monitored by the Ghanaian Times.
In a press release signed by TUTAG President, Prof. Uriah Tetteh, the association called on the EC to work with all political parties to address the issues as the cooperation was the only way that the country’s peace and democratic stability could be maintained.
“The growing tension surrounding the voters’ register is alarming and if not addressed with urgency and transparency, it could undermine the peace and democratic stability of our nation”, the statement said.
Prof. Abotsi said that an audit of the voter register would be in the best interest of the EC as it would help clear allegations and enhance EC’s credibility and demonstrate its commitment to transparency and fairness.
In a post on X, formerly twitter, he stated that, “The EC’s position on the request for an audit of the register is baffling and 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.”
Similarly, the CDD-Ghana urged the EC to address long-standing issues surrounding the electoral process ahead of the 2024 elections in order to safeguard its credibility.
He made this call while speaking at a roundtable discussion on the Assessment of Election-related activities in 2023 and their implications for the 2024 elections.
Mr Asante also emphasised the need to tackle election-related issues to ensure the credibility of electoral processes.
Mr Tsegah also called on the EC to institute a timely and transparent process for the publication of detailed coalition centres and election results, and added that the details must be published on the EC website ahead of elections.
He also urged the EC to establish clear legal and administrative procedures for handling irregularities by polling and collation organisers.
For Prof. Seidu, the NDC’s request is valid.
“When people are saying you are not fair or the processes are not fair and the register is not accurate, why don’t you just prove them wrong? Why can’t you just let the process go on?”
“If the NDC identified challenges in the register and calls for a complete audit, I think the process is timely and should be done now rather than later,” he said on Joynews.
The FMI called for calm, transparency and responsible conduct from all stakeholders in a statement issued by its president, Rev. Prof. Frimpong- Manso.
It supported the NDC’s right to express grievances and advocate for fair electoral processes, but also urged the party to ensure that its actions remain within lawful boundaries.
The statement acknowledged that the institute had appealed to the EC to consider the genuine grievances and proposals in order to build trust between the Commission and political parties.
BY NII AYITEY BROWN