Mahdi Jibril, Deputy Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), continues to call for a forensic audit of Ghana’s voter register to uphold the integrity of the 2024 general elections, despite the Electoral Commission (EC) rejecting the request.
Mahdi Jibril argued that the EC’s refusal only reinforces the NDC’s concerns about the reliability of the register.
He noted that the EC’s plan to re-exhibit the register supports the NDC’s stance, as it indicates ongoing issues with voter data accuracy.
In response, the NDC, together with civil society organizations, labor unions, and religious groups, released a statement demanding urgent electoral reforms.
The statement outlined eight key measures to ensure a transparent, free, and fair electoral process.
Among these measures was a call for an independent forensic audit of the Provisional Voter’s Register (PVR) and the IT systems used in voter registration.
The EC, however, rejected the NDC’s petition, stating that existing legal and administrative processes to maintain the register’s integrity had not been fully implemented, rendering a forensic audit unnecessary at this stage.
Undeterred, the coalition emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency, calling for the formation of a joint task force comprising representatives from the Electoral Commission, political parties, civil society organizations (CSOs), and independent experts.
The NDC also proposed long-term reforms, such as regular audits of the voter’s register and IT systems, and ongoing dialogue between the EC, political parties, and CSOs to promote transparency in future elections.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s morning show “Adekyee Mu Nsem” with host Citizen Kofi Owusu, Mahdi Jibril reiterated the NDC’s determination to ensure a credible voter register for the 2024 elections.
He criticized the EC’s decision to conduct voter register exhibitions online, pointing out that many areas in Ghana still lack internet access, which could potentially disenfranchise voters.
Mahdi Jibril also condemned the unprecedented transfer of voters to new polling stations without their consent, arguing that such actions undermine trust in the electoral process.
“The 2024 elections are crucial, and if the Electoral Commission has nothing to hide, they should welcome a forensic audit, which would ultimately benefit the EC and the country as a whole,” he asserted.
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh (#RomeoWrites✍️) / Ahotoronline.com | Ghana🇬🇭
