The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has agreed to the Electoral Commission’s (EC) plan to share the updated 2024 Provisional Voters Register with all political parties for review within a week. This decision follows the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on October 1, where the NDC advocated for a thorough examination of the voter register.
At the IPAC meeting, the NDC pushed for a forensic audit of the voter register, citing concerns about its accuracy. The party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, issued a statement outlining the NDC’s position.
The NDC welcomed the EC’s decision to re-exhibit the updated Provisional Voters’ Register, recommending that the exercise be conducted both online and offline at exhibition centers. This dual approach aims to ensure broader accessibility and transparency.
The NDC emphasized the importance of addressing the IT system’s vulnerabilities, which the EC has acknowledged. If left unaddressed, these weaknesses could compromise the integrity of the December 7, 2024, elections.
The Electoral Commission has assured the public of its commitment to transparency and fairness in the electoral process. The EC’s website provides information on voter registration, exhibition of voters’ registers, and election results.
In Ghana, voter registration requires citizens to present valid identification, such as a passport or Ghana Card, and provide personal information. The Electoral Commission has implemented a biometric voter registration system to enhance the accuracy of the voter roll.
The NDC’s acceptance of the EC’s plan demonstrates the party’s willingness to engage with the electoral process. However, the party remains vigilant, seeking to ensure the integrity of the elections.
As Ghana prepares for the December 2024 elections, the collaboration between the NDC and the EC is crucial for maintaining public trust in the democratic process. The EC’s transparency and willingness to address concerns will be essential in ensuring a free and fair election.
The NDC’s acceptance of the EC’s plan to share the updated voter register marks a significant step towards a transparent and credible electoral process in Ghana.
Read Below Press Statement:
PRESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
01/10/2024
NDC POSITION ON MATTERS ARISING FROM IPAC, RELATIVE TO THE 2024 PROVISIONAL VOTERS’ REGISTER.
Following the Special Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) Meeting held today, Tuesday, 1st October 2024, to deliberate on the 2024 Provisional Voters Register, the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress deems it fit to restate the following significant admissions by the Electoral Commission of Ghana:
* Illegal transfer of voters due to the lack of a liveliness test technology, as occured in Pusiga and other Constituencies,
* Erroneous addition of previous transfers to the current 2024 transfer list?
* Presence of corrupted files in the 2024 Provisional Voters’ Register, which the Commission claims have been rectified and restored,
* Deleted voters who the Commission wishes to place on a Missing Voters register, and
* A vulnerable EC IT system that is susceptible to data manipulation and infiltration from officials and non-officials of the Electoral Commission who have access to login credentials.
With this background, the Functional Executive Committee of the NDC has deliberated and decided to accept the EC’s promise to release to political parties, the corrected/updated version of the 2024 Provisional Voters Register for scrutiny within one week.
FEC further welcomes the decision by the Electoral Commission to re-exhibit the updated Provisional Voters’ Register. We however recommend that the re-exhibition exercise should be conducted online and offline at the exhibition centres.
Additionally, the NDC demands a multi-stakeholder and interparty examination of the IT system of the Electoral Commission with the aim of addressing the vulnerabilities that the EC itself has admitted to, which vulnerabilities led to several of the anomalies we have raised. Clearly, the vulnerabilities in the IT system of the Electoral Commission can be exploited by criminals to compromise the integrity of the December 07, 2024 elections if not addressed.
SIGNED.
FIFI FIAVI KWETEY
GENERAL SECRETARY
