The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised serious concerns regarding the integrity of the IT systems employed by the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana in light of numerous anomalies identified in the Voter Register ahead of the upcoming 2024 General Election. In a press release dated October 1, 2024, the NDC emphasized the critical need for an immediate and thorough examination of the EC’s IT system by stakeholders from multiple political parties. The party’s leadership firmly believes that such an assessment is essential to mitigate vulnerabilities that, if left unaddressed, could jeopardize the credibility of the electoral process slated for December 7, 2024.
The concerns were voiced following a Special Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting where the EC acknowledged shortcomings in the Voter Register. The commission admitted that the list is not flawless and that substantial work is necessary to finalize it satisfactorily for the elections. The NDC’s press release, signed by General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, highlights several alarming admissions from the EC. These include instances of illegal voter transfers attributed to a lack of a liveliness test technology, wrongful additions to the voter transfer list, the presence of corrupted files in the Provisional Voter Register, and systematic issues leading to the deletion of voters.
In response to these findings, the NDC has welcomed some of the EC’s commitments, including the promise to release a corrected and updated version of the Voter Register to political parties for scrutiny within a week of the meeting. Furthermore, the NDC supports the EC’s decision to re-exhibit the updated register but recommends that this process be conducted both online and offline to ensure widespread access and transparency. The party underscores the importance of having an effective avenue for public examination of the register to foster trust in the electoral process.
Moreover, the NDC specifically called for a collaborative and independent review of the EC’s IT framework to identify and address the vulnerabilities recognized by the commission itself. The party insists that the current technical weaknesses could potentially expose the electoral system to manipulation and abuse by those with improper access, thereby compromising the integrity of the elections. The call for a multi-stakeholder examination underscores the importance of safeguarding the electoral process against any form of interference or exploitation.
Given the gravity of the situation, the NDC’s insistence on a thorough investigation signals its commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent electoral environment in Ghana. The party views the vulnerabilities in the EC’s IT systems as not merely technical flaws but as serious threats that could undermine the democratic process if not promptly and adequately addressed. The recognition of these issues by the NDC reflects a broader concern within the political landscape regarding election integrity, and the need for cooperation among various stakeholders to ensure accountability and public trust.
As the December elections approach, the NDC’s proactive stance serves as a reminder of the critical role that technology plays in modern electoral processes and the potential risks associated with it. The party’s demands for transparency and rigorous examination of IT systems are indicative of the broader conversation about electoral reform and integrity in Ghana. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining how the EC addresses these issues and reassures political parties and the public alike regarding the soundness of the electoral framework for the upcoming elections.
