Notable observers, including civil society groups and other stakeholders, expressed satisfaction with the Electoral Commission’s (EC) efforts to promote openness and resolve concerns about the provisional voter register.
The observers made the comments during yesterday’s Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, which was beamed live on television and other media channels.
Koku Anyidoho, founder of the Atta Mills Institute and a former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), praised the EC for opening the meeting to the media. Speaking with Atinka TV’s Ebenezer Madugu, Anyidoho noted that this move would dispel any propaganda and focus on genuine electoral issues.
Reflecting on his experience with similar meetings in 2015, he recalled how the NPP requested an audit of the voters’ register at the time, which was opposed by the NDC due to lack of evidence. He lauded the EC for now presenting their case live on TV, allowing Ghanaians to follow the proceedings. “It’s not about being against the NDC,” he said, “but the truth must be admitted.”
Rev. Opuni Frimpong, representing the Christian Council, also expressed satisfaction with the meeting, describing it as one of the best IPAC gatherings he had witnessed. His sentiments were echoed by former Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) President Roland Affail Monney, who was impressed with the transparency and the outcome of the discussions.
Yaw Ofori Adjei, the EC’s IT consultant, guided the participants through the various steps the Commission has taken to ensure a credible voters’ register. He clarified allegations raised by the NDC, addressing concerns over deleted names and illegal transfers. He acknowledged issues with some transfers not reflecting in the system, but reassured the parties that the EC had already identified and rectified these problems before the NDC’s complaint.
One significant concern was the issue of illegal transfers in the Pusiga constituency, which the EC admitted to. The Commission revealed that those responsible had been dismissed and were under criminal investigation. Regarding allegations that 50,000 deceased persons were on the register, the EC explained that while it cannot determine the status of every individual, steps are in place to clean the register.
At the end of the meeting, all political parties, except the NDC and the CPP, agreed that a forensic audit was unnecessary at this stage. The EC’s Chairperson, Jean Mensa, announced plans to re-exhibit the provisional register online, allowing voters to verify their details at no cost. She emphasized that political parties would receive updated copies of the register to report any remaining discrepancies.
Jean Mensa urged political parties to view the exercise as a national duty, not a partisan one, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to delivering a transparent, credible, and fair election in 2024.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including political parties, civil society organizations (CSOs), and members of the media.
Ghana | Atinkaonline.com | Ebenezer Madugu
