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In light of the pressing concerns surrounding the integrity of Ghana's electoral register, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has laid out a series of concrete proposals aimed at ensuring a transparent and trustworthy electoral process ahead of the December 2024 elections as follows:
An independent forensic audit of the Provisional Voters Register and its IT system must be conducted to uncover the full extent of the irregularities, including unauthorised log-ins, transfers, discrepancies, and data corruption.
This audit should also provide a comprehensive review of the IT infrastructure, human processes, and overall system integrity that led to these errors and discrepancies in the voters’ register. The audit should also examine both the technical and procedural vulnerabilities of the EC’s IT and registration systems.
The Electoral Commission should urgently convene a meeting with all political parties, civil society organisations, and key international stakeholders (including ECOWAS, AU, UNDP, EU, USAID, The British High Commission and others) to discuss the forensic audit and ensure collective oversight of the process.
The results of the forensic audit must be made publicly available to ensure transparency, accountability, and confidence in the electoral process ahead of the 2024 General Elections.
The NDC further demands a 5-day re-exhibition of the Provisional Voters Register after the forensic audit is completed. This will enable registered voters, including those affected by the errors, to verify their details and confirm the integrity of the Voters Register. Without such a re-exhibition, many legitimate voters will be disenfranchised.
Immediate steps must be taken to reverse all unauthorised voter transfers and restore the integrity of the voter transfer system. The EC must provide clear answers on the origins of these transfers, including identifying any technical or human causes, and correct these issues promptly.
The timeline for upcoming electoral activities, including the printing of the Final Voters Register and related materials, must be reviewed and adjusted in consultation with all political stakeholders to allow sufficient time for the forensic audit, re-exhibition, and corrections without compromising the 7th December election date.
The EC must institute measures to prevent future manipulation of the Voters Register. This should include a review of internal processes, improved transparency in voter registration and transfer systems, and stricter protocols to safeguard the integrity of the voters' register.
By advocating for these steps, the NDC seeks not only to address current concerns regarding the electoral register, but also to lay a sustainable foundation for future elections in Ghana.
The call for a forensic audit is a pivotal moment for Ghana's democracy, underscoring the necessity for accountability, transparency, and the unwavering belief in the electorate's right to fair representation.
