The National Democratic Congress (NDC) of Ghana has responded to key issues that arose from a recent Special Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, which took place on October 1, 2024. This meeting focused on the 2024 Provisional Voters Register and sought to address various concerns surrounding its integrity and reliability. The party’s General Secretary, Fifi Fiavi Kwetey, highlighted the need for transparency and articulated significant admissions made by the Electoral Commission of Ghana during the proceedings. The NDC underscored that the legitimacy of the electoral process hinges on the credibility of voter registration, which is crucial for fair elections.
Among the critical admissions made by the Electoral Commission were five key issues concerning the electoral process. Firstly, the NDC pointed out the illegal transfer of voters due to the absence of effective liveliness test technology, specifically pointing to cases in Pusiga and other constituencies. Secondly, they raised concerns about the inaccurate addition of prior transfers to the 2024 transfer list, which could potentially mislead the voter database. Thirdly, the NDC addressed the presence of corrupted files in the Provisional Voters Register, a condition the Commission claimed to have rectified but under scrutiny nonetheless raises red flags about the overall data management and security.
Furthermore, the NDC highlighted the auxiliary issue of deleted voters that the Electoral Commission wishes to move to a ‘Missing Voters Register,’ a move that could be interpreted as an attempt to obscure significant losses in voter registrations or disenfranchisement. Lastly, the party raised alarms about the vulnerabilities within the Electoral Commission’s IT system, which they deemed susceptible to data manipulation and unauthorized access. This vulnerability poses a direct threat to the integrity of the upcoming December 7, 2024 elections and the overall trust in the electoral system.
The NDC’s Functional Executive Committee (FEC) took a measured approach regarding the Commission’s commitment to providing an updated version of the Provisional Voters Register for review in the coming week. While they welcomed this gesture as a step towards accountability and transparency, they suggested that a robust re-exhibition of this updated register should be executed both online and offline to ensure all stakeholders can adequately engage with the information. This dual approach would facilitate broader access and participation from political entities and civil organizations committed to monitoring the electoral process.
Additionally, the NDC insisted on a collaborative effort involving multiple stakeholders for thorough examination and validation of the Electoral Commission’s IT systems to mitigate the vulnerabilities they have acknowledged in their operations. This multi-party scrutiny aims to oversee the integrity of the electoral data and safeguard the electoral process against potential malicious activities. The party’s statement clearly articulated a strong warning that unless these system vulnerabilities are addressed, they threaten to undermine the credibility of the electoral process, thereby endangering the democratic framework.
In conclusion, the NDC has firmly positioned itself as a watchdog for electoral integrity in Ghana, urging not just the Electoral Commission but all stakeholders to take the necessary precautions to ensure transparency and protect against fraud in the upcoming elections. The party’s assertions point to a larger issue of electoral trust and governance, which, if unaddressed, could have far-reaching consequences for the democratic processes in Ghana. The NDC’s proactive stance reflects its commitment to ensuring a free and fair electoral process, which is essential in a functioning democracy.
