The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has clarified that it is not opposed to the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s call for a forensic audit of the 2024 voters register. However, the party insists that the NDC must adhere to the proper legal procedures in raising such concerns.
This position was articulated by NPP General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua, who highlighted the importance of following the law when addressing potential issues with the electoral register.
In an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Frimpong Kodua referenced a 2016 ruling by Justice V. C. R. A. C. Crabbe, which outlined the steps that should be followed when requesting an audit of Ghana’s voters register. He emphasized that the NPP fully supports the idea of correcting mistakes in the register but stressed that the appropriate legal avenues must be pursued.
“We are not against the Electoral Commission (EC) correcting mistakes [in the voters register] if there are any,” Frimpong Kodua stated. “But what we are saying is that the corrections are to be done through the voters register exhibition exercise, and this is backed by law. The law states clearly what needs to be done. There will always be laws, and the EC has always followed that law to have mistakes corrected.”
Frimpong Kodua’s comments reflect the NPP’s stance on the issue, which is grounded in the need for legal integrity in the electoral process. He argued that while the NPP is open to addressing any legitimate concerns about the voters register, those concerns must be substantiated with evidence and processed in accordance with the law.
The NDC has been vocal in its demands for a forensic audit of the 2024 voters register, citing concerns about potential errors or inaccuracies. However, Frimpong Kodua was quick to point out that the NDC’s demands are not based on any concrete evidence but rather on speculation. He challenged the leadership of the NDC to provide the evidence they claim to have.
“To start with, the allegation that the NDC is making—have they submitted it to the EC? The EC made it clear in its statement that the NDC has not made available any evidence to the EC. On what basis are they making the allegations?” Frimpong Kodua questioned. His remarks underline the NPP’s view that the NDC’s claims lack credibility without the necessary evidence to back them up.
Frimpong Kodua went further, urging the NDC to be transparent about any issues they have with the voters register. He expressed frustration with what he sees as a pattern of unfounded claims from the NDC, referencing the 2020 elections as an example. “If they genuinely have any issues, they should make it known to all of us because the NDC has a track record of these things. If you can remember, they came out in 2020 and said they had won the elections, and when they took it to court, they could not provide any evidence,” he said.
The NPP General Secretary’s comments reflect the party’s broader commitment to ensuring that any concerns about the 2024 voters register are addressed through lawful means. He emphasized that the voters register exhibition exercise is the legally recognized process for correcting errors in the register and that any other approach would be outside the bounds of the law.
Frimpong Kodua’s remarks come amid growing political tension as Ghana prepares for the 2024 general elections. The integrity of the voters register is a critical issue for both major political parties, with the NDC calling for a forensic audit to ensure accuracy and the NPP insisting that the existing legal framework is sufficient to address any concerns.
As the debate over the voters register continues, the NPP has sought to position itself as the party of law and order, emphasizing the importance of following established legal procedures. Frimpong Kodua’s call for the NDC to present evidence of any alleged irregularities in the register is a clear indication of the NPP’s desire to avoid what it sees as unnecessary political drama and to focus on the legal process.
For the NPP, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process is paramount, and the party believes that any attempts to question the voters register must be grounded in evidence and handled in accordance with the law. Frimpong Kodua’s comments suggest that the NPP is confident in the existing legal framework for addressing issues with the register and that the party sees no need for a separate forensic audit unless compelling evidence is presented.
In conclusion, while the NPP has made it clear that it is not opposed to the idea of correcting any mistakes in the 2024 voters register, the party insists that the proper legal procedures must be followed. Justin Frimpong Kodua’s remarks underscore the NPP’s commitment to due process and the rule of law, as well as its belief that the NDC’s demands for a forensic audit are based on speculation rather than evidence. As the 2024 elections approach, the debate over the voters register is likely to continue, with both parties seeking to ensure that the electoral process is free, fair, and transparent.
