The Opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has once again expressed deep concerns over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) handling of the 2024 General Elections voter register.
In a statement, Director of Elections Dr. Edward Omane Boamah highlighted the EC’s omission of critical voter data, undermining transparency and credibility.
Previous Discrepancies
This development follows earlier discrepancies identified in the provisional voters register, which the NDC claims warranted a forensic audit.
The EC rejected this demand, with the audit now pending for January 2025.
Missing Statistics
The final voters register lacks essential data, including national voter statistics, regional and constituency breakdowns, absentee voter statistics, gender statistics, and proxy voter information.
This omission limits stakeholders’ ability to verify the register’s accuracy.
NDC’s Call to Action
The NDC urges the EC to rectify these omissions, make available the full statistical breakdown, and demand accountability from civil society organizations, the international community, and the media.
Below is the statement made by Dr Omane Boamah on his Facebook page:
The Electoral Commission: still casting doubts and clouds over the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
The Electoral Commission’s omission of critical voter data undermines transparency and credibility of the 2024 General Elections.
It is necessary to bring to the attention of Ghanaians, all political stakeholders, and the international community our deep concerns regarding the actions and omissions of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana as we approach the crucial 2024 General Elections.
You may recall that following the deep discrepancies identified in the provisional voters register we demanded a forensic audit, which the Electoral Commission turned down. That forensic audit awaits the EC from January 2025.
But even before the first ballot is cast, the relevance of the forensic audit is beginning to show and shame those who clandestinely connived with the Commission to prevent the much needed forensic audit of the register. Meanwhile the audit of the IT system also remains outstanding.
We must note that the competence, credibility and transparency of the EC is central to the integrity of any electoral process, and recent developments raise significant doubts about the Commission’s commitment to conducting a fair and impartial election.
Yesterday, the 6th of November, 2024, as America was witnessing the re-election of a former President, the EC invited all political parties to receive copies of the final voters register.
Shockingly, the register provided lacked essential voter data necessary for verifying its credibility:
* National Voter Statistics,
* Regional and Constituency Voter Statistics,
* Absentee Voter Statistics,
* Gender Statistics, and
* Statistics on Proxy Voters.
This data is fundamental for transparency, ensuring political parties and civil society organizations can thoroughly scrutinize and validate the voters register.
The omission of such critical information limits the ability of political stakeholders to verify the completeness and accuracy of the voters register, which is the backbone of credible elections.
By withholding these vital statistics, the Electoral Commission is casting further doubts and clouds over the transparency of the upcoming elections and threatening the legitimacy of the electoral outcome.
1. Transparency and Trust: Elections are only credible when all parties and stakeholders trust the processes involved. The EC’s omission of essential voter data not only erodes this trust but also limits accountability.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has questioned John Mahama’s ability to deliver a 24-hour economy, citing the collapse of key industries under his leadership.
During his Central Region tour on November 6, Akufo-Addo pointed to the Kumasi Brewery’s demise as evidence of Mahama’s economic mismanagement.
Background
The Kumasi Brewery, once a thriving 24-hour operation, produced beer and Guinness.
Its collapse under former President John Mahama’s tenure has become a symbol of his inability to sustain key industries.
Akufo-Addo’s Critique
“You want a 24-hour economy but couldn’t oversee what was left in your care. Is it now that you are going to do something about it?” Akufo-Addo asked, emphasising John Mahama’s unreliable track record.
