EC’s refusal to audit voter’s register can create chaos on election day – B.O.T

Chartered Economist Bernard Oduro Takyi (BOT) has criticized the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa, for failing to conduct an independent forensic audit of the 2024 voters’ register.

Speaking on the Dwaboase programme on TV XYZ, the youth activist warned the EC that her actions could lead to violence during the 2024 elections should the electoral management body fail to heed the demands of the opposition NDC and other stakeholders.

Takyi emphasized that although the EC Electoral is independent, Jean Mensa must take necessary steps to restore public trust in the commission rather than serving the interests of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

“The Electoral Commission’s independence is guaranteed by Ghana’s 1992 constitution, ensuring it operates without external control or direction,” Takyi argued.

His assertions come on the back of concerns about potential biases and the need for transparency.

He indicated that the Electoral Commission’s refusal to conduct an independent audit raises concerns about potential manipulation, adding that Unaudited voter registers could lead to disputes and violence during the 2024 elections.

“The commission’s independence is compromised if it’s perceived as serving partisan interests.”

As pressure mounts on the Electoral Commission to conduct an independent forensic audit of the voter register to make it credible, there is also a concern for chiefs to take the matter up and intervene.

Recently, the Omanhene of the Goaso Traditional Area, Nana Kwasi Bosompra I, condemned the EC for its reluctance to fix whatever is wrong with the electoral roll.

Speaking on Dwaboase on Tuesday, the revered Chief called on colleague traditional rulers to speak on the matter to ensure the 2024 elections are peaceful.

“We are custodians of the land, and we don’t have to sit aloof for some persons with parochial interest to destroy what our forefathers fought for,” he said while calling for all Ghanaians to be concerned in the matter.

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission (EC) has again rejected calls for a forensic audit of the Provisional Voter’s Register.

On Thursday, September 26, the EC argued that the legal and administrative processes established to clean the register had not been fully exhausted, and thus, a forensic audit was not justified at this stage.

“As a Commission, we are of the view that the existing legal and administrative processes for cleaning the PVR have not been fully exhausted to justify the call for a forensic audit,” the EC stated.