The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has announced that it will engage key stakeholders regarding discrepancies in the 2024 voter register. This follows what the party has described as an “unproductive” meeting with the Electoral Commission (EC) over the same issue. The NDC, dissatisfied with the EC’s response to their concerns, is taking further steps to ensure that the matter is addressed before the upcoming elections.
On September 17, the party led the “Enough is Enough” demonstration, which saw NDC supporters and leaders present a petition to the Electoral Commission, urging it to address the concerns they had raised regarding the voter register. The NDC has been vocal about its dissatisfaction with how the EC has handled the situation so far, and the upcoming meeting with stakeholders is seen as a crucial move to push for transparency and accountability.
The party’s Director of Elections and IT, Dr. Omane Boamah, made the announcement in a Facebook post, where he reiterated the party’s call for a forensic audit of both the voter register and the Electoral Commission’s IT system. According to Dr. Boamah, such an audit is necessary to restore public trust ahead of the December 2024 general elections. He emphasized that without addressing these issues, the integrity of the election could be compromised.
“This exclusive invitation is on the heels of our unproductive meeting with the Electoral Commission on the same matter. We maintain that the Commission must permit a forensic audit of the register and its IT system to restore trust ahead of the general elections on December 07, 2024,” Dr. Boamah stated.
The NDC believes that a thorough investigation into the EC’s IT system and the voter register will provide clarity on the discrepancies that have caused concern within the party. These concerns are not only about the accuracy of the voter register but also the potential implications for the fairness of the electoral process. The NDC is particularly worried about the possibility of disenfranchising voters, especially in critical areas, if these issues are not resolved.
Dr. Boamah also pointed out that the one-week deadline given by the NDC’s National Chairman following the “Enough is Enough” demonstration is approaching, with the party expecting some concrete action from the EC by Tuesday. This deadline was set to press the Commission to respond to the petition and address the voter register discrepancies raised during the protest.
The NDC’s engagement with stakeholders is expected to focus on building consensus around the need for a forensic audit and ensuring that all political parties have confidence in the voter register ahead of the December 2024 elections. The party is determined to ensure that the electoral process is free, fair, and transparent, and sees the upcoming meeting as a critical step towards achieving that goal.
As the 2024 elections approach, the NDC’s actions highlight the growing tension between the party and the Electoral Commission. With public trust in the electoral system at stake, the party’s push for a forensic audit could play a pivotal role in shaping the electoral landscape leading up to December.
The outcome of the meeting with stakeholders, along with the Electoral Commission’s response to the NDC’s demands, will be closely watched by political observers and the public alike. The NDC remains committed to ensuring that all issues related to the voter register are resolved in a manner that preserves the integrity of the electoral process, and they are prepared to continue their advocacy until these concerns are adequately addressed.
