The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has made significant progress in resolving discrepancies in the voter register, according to Chairperson Jean Mensa. Speaking at an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on October 1, Mensa emphasized that the register is not final and contains some imperfections, which are not uncommon in registration processes.
Mensa assured political party representatives that the EC has taken steps to correct identified discrepancies since the initial release of the voter register. Comparing the current register to the one provided to parties in August, she noted that significant changes have been made.
The EC has adopted a transparent process involving key officers at all levels to ensure registered voters are accounted for. This process includes correcting issues such as omitted names, objections to unqualified voters, removal of deceased voters, and replacement of poor-quality or damaged voter ID cards.
Deputy EC Chair in charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, also addressed concerns about the register’s credibility. He stated that the commission’s internal processes identified most discrepancies, which have largely been resolved.
Tettey dismissed the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC) request for an independent forensic audit of the EC’s IT systems as “misguided” and “premature.” He explained that the Voters Exhibition Exercise allows citizens to verify their details and correct discrepancies.
The EC employs a rigorous four-pronged approach to clean the Provisional Voter Register (PVR), which includes addressing missing names, errors in biographical data, duplicates, and deceased persons on the register.
Mensa reiterated the EC’s commitment to delivering free and fair elections, citing their track record and well-trained staff. She urged stakeholders to trust the commission’s efforts to produce a credible register.
The EC has invited the NDC to the discussion table to demonstrate that discrepancies have been resolved. Mensa emphasized that the commission values collaboration and open communication.
To address concerns, the EC will implement an online exhibition of the corrected PVR, allowing voters to report anomalies with their details. This online platform will be available until Election Day.
