The conduct of the Electoral Commission (EC) regarding errors in the voter register has been called into question by various stakeholders. Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman of the EC, has faced criticism for allowing errors to persist in the register used in national elections, particularly concerning the 2016 polls.
Critics argue that it is problematic and concerning for just two EC commissioners to determine the fate of Ghanaians by permitting these errors to remain. Instead of using their media platform to provide transparency, the commissioners are accused of attacking the National Democratic Congress (NDC), a major stakeholder in the upcoming December elections.
Dr. Rashid Tanko-Computer, Deputy Director of Elections for IT at the NDC, voiced these concerns on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM, hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra. Dr. Tanko-Computer emphasized that the NDC is prepared to utilize all democratic means to demand that the EC addresses these errors through an independent forensic audit before the December polls. He criticized the EC for focusing on public relations rather than providing accurate and factual information about the voter register, and suggested that the Commission may be colluding with the New Patriotic Party to manipulate the election in favor of the incumbent government.
In response, the EC has rejected the NDC’s call for a forensic audit. During a press briefing on Thursday, Samuel Tettey described the demand as misguided and unnecessary. He argued that an audit would not enhance the EC’s established processes for improving the provisional voter register. Tettey stated that the EC would remain responsible for correcting any discrepancies, regardless of whether an audit is conducted.
“The commission believes that such an audit will not add value to our well-defined and tested process for strengthening the provisional voter register,” Tettey said. “If a forensic audit were conducted, the same commission would still address any discrepancies identified. Therefore, we view the call for a forensic audit as misguided.”
Tettey assured that the exhibition exercise, which is part of the ongoing process to enhance the voter register, would continue to address and rectify any issues.
Story by: Alexander Kukah
