The governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has criticized the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for failing to substantiate its claims of a bloated voter register during an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held on October 1, 2024.
The meeting, organized by the Electoral Commission (EC) at the Alisa Hotel in Accra, was intended to address concerns about the accuracy of the voters’ register ahead of the 2024 general elections.
The NDC has repeatedly alleged that the electoral roll contains ineligible voters and numerous inaccuracies. These claims led to a nationwide protest on September 17, where NDC members demanded a forensic audit of the voters’ register to ensure its credibility for the upcoming elections. The protest highlighted the NDC’s belief that a flawed voter register could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Despite the NDC’s public outcry, the NPP has accused the opposition party of failing to back up its accusations with concrete evidence during the IPAC meeting. The NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, expressed disappointment with the NDC’s performance at the meeting, stating that they had missed a crucial opportunity to prove their claims.
Speaking to the media after the session, Kodua challenged the NDC to present data supporting their allegations of a bloated register. He pointed out that despite the seriousness of the accusations, the NDC failed to provide any evidence during the meeting to support their claims of discrepancies in the electoral roll.
“All of you [the media] were here,” Kodua remarked. “Tell me, all the presentations that were made by their [the NDC’s] reps, at what point in time did they even give us evidence? Did they give us the data that they turned out? None.”
Kodua further criticized the NDC for diverting attention from the main issue at hand, accusing them of resorting to propaganda rather than focusing on the evidence needed to resolve the concerns about the voters’ register. He compared their approach to addressing superficial issues rather than tackling the core problems, saying, “They started talking about propaganda matters, about a roof that is leaking and using the mop to clean it. Is that why we came here? We came here based on the several allegations that you have made. Why did you run away? Why is the NDC running away?”
The NPP’s frustration with the NDC stems from the latter’s continued public assertions of a compromised voter register without delivering proof to back these claims. Kodua emphasized that the purpose of the IPAC meeting was to allow all political parties to engage in constructive dialogue and present any concerns or evidence related to the voters’ register. He questioned why the NDC did not take full advantage of this platform to substantiate their allegations.
The EC has also come under pressure to address the concerns raised by the NDC and other stakeholders regarding the voters’ register. The Commission has assured the public and political parties that the voter roll is credible and that measures have been put in place to ensure its integrity for the 2024 elections. However, the NDC remains unconvinced and continues to push for an independent forensic audit to identify and remove any ineligible voters from the register.
The IPAC meeting was expected to provide a forum for the NDC to formally present its evidence and engage with the EC and other political parties on the issue. However, according to the NPP, the NDC’s representatives did not provide any concrete data or examples of discrepancies in the voter register during their presentations. This has led the NPP to accuse the NDC of making baseless claims and using the issue of the voter register for political propaganda rather than engaging in a genuine effort to improve the electoral process.
The NPP’s accusations have added to the growing tension between the two major political parties as the 2024 elections approach. Both parties are aware of the crucial role that the accuracy of the voters’ register will play in determining the outcome of the elections, and the dispute over the register is likely to remain a contentious issue in the lead-up to December 2024.
In the meantime, the NDC has vowed to continue its fight for a forensic audit of the voters’ register, insisting that the credibility of the electoral roll is non-negotiable. They argue that the presence of ineligible voters on the register could significantly affect the outcome of the elections, especially in closely contested regions.
As the political landscape becomes increasingly charged, the EC has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and transparent election. The Commission has urged all political parties to work together to address any concerns about the electoral process through dialogue and cooperation.
With the general elections just months away, the debate over the voters’ register is expected to intensify. The NPP’s demand for evidence from the NDC underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process, as both parties prepare to contest what is anticipated to be a highly competitive election. The resolution of this issue will likely shape the credibility of the elections and the public’s confidence in the democratic process.
For now, the NPP remains steadfast in its position that the NDC must provide evidence to back its claims, while the NDC continues to push for a forensic audit of the voters’ register. The outcome of these disputes could have far-reaching implications for Ghana’s democracy and the upcoming elections.
