The critical need for a forensic audit of Ghana's EC IT infrastructure and voter register

As Ghana gears up for its general election on December 7th, 2024, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the leading opposition party, has raised concerns about significant discrepancies in the voter register and has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) for a forensic audit of its IT infrastructure. This request comes at a critical time, with the integrity of the electoral process under scrutiny.

In light of these concerns, it is essential to explore the importance of a forensic audit and how it can help restore public trust in the election's credibility and transparency. To ensure the transparency and credibility of the election, the EC must seriously consider the importance of a forensic audit.

Elections are a pillar of democracy, and the integrity of electoral processes must be safeguarded. Voter trust is at the heart of any democracy, and discrepancies in the voter register can erode public confidence. A forensic audit will help identify whether these discrepancies are due to malicious intent, human error, or system malfunctions.

The EC’s IT infrastructure is crucial in managing the voter register, tallying votes, and ensuring the proper functioning of various election-related activities. As such, a forensic audit will ensure that the IT systems have not been tampered with or compromised by external threats like hacking or internal data manipulation. An impartial and thorough investigation will help determine if the discrepancies result from technical glitches or more serious cybersecurity breaches.

As a cybersecurity consultant, the CIA Triad—which stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability—offers a robust framework for explaining why a forensic audit is essential. These three principles form the foundation of secure IT systems and processes, especially in high-stakes environments like elections.

1. Confidentiality: Protecting Sensitive Voter Information

Confidentiality refers to the safeguarding of sensitive data from unauthorized access or disclosure. For the EC, the voter register contains susceptible personal information, including voters’ identification details, addresses, and, in some cases, biometric data. If this information is exposed or accessed by unauthorized parties, it could compromise the privacy of voters and the security of the electoral process.

A forensic audit is crucial for ensuring that the EC’s IT infrastructure is configured correctly to protect the confidentiality of voter data. This audit would help identify potential vulnerabilities, such as weak encryption protocols, outdated software, or improper access control measures that might leave voter data susceptible to leaks or breaches. By conducting a forensic audit, the EC can reassure the public that the voter register and associated data are secure from internal leaks or external cyberattacks.

Why this matters for the election:

• Preventing Data Breaches: If sensitive voter data were leaked or accessed by malicious actors, it could lead to identity theft, manipulation, or even intimidation of voters. Ensuring the confidentiality of this data is vital to maintaining public trust.

• Restoring Public Confidence: The NDC’s concerns about discrepancies in the voter register suggest that data management may have weaknesses. A forensic audit can identify and address gaps, restoring public confidence in the EC’s ability to protect the electorate's privacy.

2. Integrity: Ensuring Accuracy and Trustworthiness of Voter Data

Integrity refers to the accuracy and trustworthiness of data. In the context of the EC, this means ensuring that voter data in the register remains accurate, unaltered, and reliable from registration through Election Day. If there are discrepancies in the voter register, as the NDC alleged, it raises concerns about the integrity of the data.

A forensic audit will allow the EC to thoroughly investigate these discrepancies to determine if technical issues, human error, or potential tampering caused them. It will also identify any unauthorized modification of voter data through malicious insider activity or cyberattacks aimed at altering the voter register.

Why this matters for the election:

• Preventing Voter Disenfranchisement: If names are missing, duplicated, or altered in the voter register, legitimate voters could be denied their right to vote. Ensuring data integrity prevents such errors and protects citizens' democratic rights.

• Ensuring Fairness: The audit will help verify that no fraudulent activity, such as the inclusion of ineligible voters or the removal of legitimate voters, has taken place. This verification is crucial for maintaining a level playing field for all parties and candidates.

• Protecting Against Vote Manipulation: By ensuring data integrity, the EC can prevent malicious actors from altering voter information, which could influence election outcomes.

3. Availability: Ensuring the Systems Function Properly During the Election

Availability ensures that systems, data, and resources are accessible and functional when needed. For the EC, the IT infrastructure supporting the voter register and any election management systems must be fully operational throughout the electoral process. Any downtime, system crashes, or attacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) could disrupt the election, cause delays, or even prevent voters from casting their ballots.

A forensic audit would examine the resilience of the EC’s IT systems, ensuring they can handle large volumes of data, manage real-time voter queries, and sustain the demands of Election Day without interruption. The audit would also assess the system’s vulnerability to external attacks that could threaten availability, such as DDoS attacks or ransomware, which could cripple the voting process.

Why this matters for the election:

• Avoiding System Failures on Election Day: Ensuring the IT infrastructure is resilient to technical failures will prevent chaotic situations where voters cannot cast their ballots due to system outages or delays.

• Preventing External Disruptions: Cyberattacks that take systems offline can cause widespread confusion and undermine the election. Ensuring availability through a forensic audit will mitigate this risk and ensure the election proceeds smoothly.

• Maintaining Election Timelines: System outages could result in delayed vote counting or results, fueling post-election tensions and disputes. Ensuring availability will help the EC deliver timely and accurate results.

The Role of a Forensic Audit in Applying the CIA Triad

A forensic audit of the EC’s IT infrastructure and voter register will comprehensively evaluate how well the EC adheres to the CIA Triad principles, ensuring a secure, accurate, and accessible election process. Specifically, the audit will:

• Identify Security Gaps: Assess how well the EC protects the confidentiality of voter data and provide recommendations to enhance security where needed.

• Verify Data Integrity: Scrutinize the voter register for any discrepancies or potential tampering and help resolve any issues that may affect the accuracy and fairness of the election.

• Test System Availability: Evaluate whether the EC’s systems are robust enough to handle the high demands of Election Day while remaining resilient to external attacks.

Conclusion

A forensic audit of the Electoral Commission’s IT infrastructure and voter register, guided by the principles of the CIA Triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability—is essential and urgent as Ghana approaches the general election on December 7th, 2024.

A forensic audit will ensure that the EC is protecting the confidentiality of voter data, maintaining the integrity of the voter register, and guaranteeing the availability of its systems during the election.

Addressing the NDC’s concerns through a thorough forensic audit will help safeguard the integrity of the election, ensuring a free, fair, and transparent electoral process. By doing so, the Electoral Commission will uphold its duty to protect democracy and maintain the trust of the Ghanaian people in the electoral process.