‘EC like any other institution is susceptible to errors, so audit the voter register’ – Prof Kobby Mensah

Renowned political marketing strategist from the University of Ghana Business School, Professor Kobby Mensah has made a compelling case for a forensic audit of the country’s voters’ register.

His call for transparency and accountability comes at a time when questions surrounding the integrity of the electoral process are becoming increasingly hard to ignore.

In an interview with TV3 monitored by Angelonline.com.gh, Professor Mensah emphasized that acknowledging imperfections in institutional frameworks could pave the way for restoring public confidence in the electoral landscape.

“Institutions are not perfect; they are susceptible to errors,” he remarked, urging the Electoral Commission (EC) to embrace the audit as a vital step towards mending the fractures in the current electoral atmosphere.

“The resolution of these issues will foster a ‘win-win relationship’ among all key stakeholders, transforming the ongoing uproar into a collaborative effort to strengthen our democracy,” he added, keenly noting that substantial inaccuracies had been revealed during the recent exhibition of the voters’ register, far more significant than he initially realized.

Director of elections of the NDC, Dr. Omane Boamah commenting on the issue expressed alarm over the reported theft of Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs).

“Could these missing devices be part of a concerted effort to manipulate the electoral outcome in favour of a particular party?” he questioned, pointing out the ironic reality that the devices went missing despite being under CCTV surveillance.

Dr. Boamah underscored the importance of robust security protocols at the EC, insisting that the integrity of the electoral process is too critical to be compromised. “The layers of security at the EC are meant to prevent such incidents; this situation begs serious scrutiny,” he asserted.

In a parallel narrative, the EC has assured the public of its unwavering commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections this year.

However, the NDC’s frustrations have been palpable. Following what they deemed “unproductive” discussions with the EC, the NDC aligned with various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), convening to voice collective concerns regarding the voters’ register.

Just days prior, on September 17, 2024, the NDC led a nationwide ‘Enough is Enough’ demonstration, rallying citizens to stand up for electoral.