The Electoral Commission (EC) has rejected the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) call for a forensic audit of the Provisional Voters Register (PVR).
In a letter addressed to NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, the EC stated that established legal and administrative mechanisms for cleaning the register have not been fully utilized.
The letter, copied to key stakeholders, including Parliament’s Majority and Minority Leaders, civil society organizations, and religious bodies, reiterates the EC’s stance on the matter.
The EC emphasizes trust in its processes, saying, “The Commission is of the view that the legal and administrative processes laid down to clean the PVR have not been fully exhausted to justify the calls for a Forensic Audit.”
The NDC’s demonstration on September 17, 2024, culminated in a petition demanding an independent forensic audit to uncover irregularities in the voters’ register and IT system.
The proposed audit aims to review the IT infrastructure, human processes, and system integrity that led to errors and discrepancies.
However, the EC explains that Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) 91 recognizes the PVR as a draft register, acknowledging potential discrepancies.
The Exhibition Exercise, displaying the register in polling stations and online, allows for inspection and corrections.
Regulation 23 of C.I. 91 provides clear pathways to address anomalies, including missing names, errors, duplicates, and deceased persons on the register.
The EC concludes that existing legal and administrative remedies can resolve post-registration issues, rendering a forensic audit unnecessary at this stage.
