The Electoral Commission (EC) has responded to concerns raised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over the credibility of the 2024 Voters Register, emphasizing that dialogue, rather than demonstrations, is the proper channel for resolving the issues.
The Commission has called on former President John Mahama to encourage his party to engage in discussions rather than protests to address any discrepancies in the register.
During a press conference on Thursday, Samuel Tettey, Deputy Commissioner of Operations, outlined that the EC has repeatedly requested that the NDC provide data on the discrepancies they claim to have identified in the voters’ register, but the party has not yet submitted the necessary information. “The Commission has repeatedly requested the data on discrepancies from the NDC to no avail. We are of the view that the stance taken by the NDC will not produce a credible register,” Tettey stated.
He stressed that the EC is fully committed to investigating any legitimate issues raised regarding the voters’ register, but without the relevant data from the NDC, the investigation cannot move forward. “The EC assured the NDC during the meeting that it would conduct a thorough investigation and report on the issues they had detected within a week. Why are they refusing to submit the data to enable the EC to investigate and provide a report?” he added.
The EC expressed its belief that a credible and robust voters’ register can only be achieved through constructive engagement at the discussion table and not through public demonstrations, which it fears may lead to unnecessary tension and suspicion. The Commission has urged the NDC to reconsider its approach and to provide the necessary information that would allow for a transparent review of any discrepancies.
“The EC believes that the best way to ascertain the credibility and integrity of the 2024 Voters Register is at the discussion table, not on the streets. Taking to the streets will not ensure a credible register; it will only cause tensions and suspicions which are unwarranted. We call on the former President, His Excellency John Mahama, an eminent and respected statesman of the Republic, to encourage and bring his party to the table as that is the best place to address issues and ascertain the truth regarding the Voters Register,” Tettey urged.
Tettey also reiterated the EC’s commitment to ensuring a transparent and inclusive process that would satisfy all political parties and the general public. He assured that the Commission is working diligently to correct any discrepancies identified in the register and is focused on delivering a voters’ register that guarantees free, fair, and credible elections in December 2024. “As in 2020, the Commission is committed to providing the country and all Political Parties with a robust and credible Voters Register that will guarantee free, fair, transparent, and credible General Elections in December 2024,” he said.
The EC emphasized that almost all the discrepancies identified so far have already been corrected. It called for public trust and patience, reiterating that it had successfully delivered a credible register in 2020 and would do so again in 2024. “We urge the public to trust the EC to do this again and again,” Tettey added.
Addressing the NDC directly, the EC highlighted its commitment to a fair process and reiterated that the best approach to resolving concerns about the voters’ register is through dialogue. “We are confident that the former President will heed our calls and do everything in his power to bring his party to the discussion table. On our part, we assure the NDC of a transparent process that would demonstrate to them that all their concerns have been resolved,” Tettey concluded.
In summary, the EC has made it clear that it remains open to addressing any issues raised by the NDC but insists that the proper venue for such discussions is around the negotiation table, where facts can be verified and solutions can be reached. The Commission maintains that it is prepared to work with all parties to ensure that the 2024 Voters Register is both credible and accurate, in line with its commitment to democratic principles and fair electoral processes.
