Ghana, a beacon of democracy in Africa, has a long history of conducting peaceful and credible elections. However, the credibility of the voter register remains a crucial aspect of the electoral process.
A credible voter register is essential to prevent fraud, ensure the integrity of the electoral process, and reflect the will of the people in the election outcome.
As such, in Ghana, ensuring a credible voter register is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of all stakeholders.
Accordingly, the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) is responsible for compiling and maintaining the voter register. It must ensure that the register is comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date.
The EC must implement robust registration processes, conduct regular audits, and provide opportunities for citizens to verify their details and report any errors.
Moreover, the government has a critical role to play in ensuring a credible voter register. It must provide the necessary resources and support to the EC to enable them to compile and maintain an accurate register.
This includes providing funding, technology, and expertise to ensure that the register is comprehensive and up-to-date.
More so, Civil Society Organizations, including non-governmental organizations and community groups, also have a crucial role in ensuring a credible voter’s register in Ghana. They can help to educate citizens about the importance of registering to vote and can assist in the registration process.
As such, they can also help to monitor the voter registration process and report any irregularities or fraudulent activities.
Moreover, individual citizens are also responsible for ensuring a credible voter register in Ghana. Citizens must take the initiative to register to vote, ensure that their details are accurate and up-to-date, and report any errors or discrepancies in the register to the relevant authorities.
Role Of Political Parties
In addition, political parties and candidates in Ghana also have a role to play in ensuring a credible voter register. They must ensure that their supporters are registered to vote and that their details are accurate and up-to-date. They must also report any irregularities or fraudulent activities to the relevant authorities.
Accordingly, the Deputy National General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Haruna Mohammed, has emphasized the importance of continuous engagement with the EC by all stakeholders to address challenges encountered during the ongoing limited voters’ registration exercise.
Highlighting the role of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) in facilitating dialogue between political parties and the EC, he indicated that if a consensus emerges regarding the need for an extension, political parties would call on the EC to consider prolonging the registration period.
However, Mr. Mohamed stressed that the EC is not solely accountable to political parties, but also receptive to concerns and reports from a broader range of stakeholders.
He highlighted that the media, civil society organizations (CSOs), and observer groups like CODEO and other monitoring institutions, have a vital role in holding the EC accountable and promoting electoral integrity.
By encouraging a diversity of voices to engage with the EC, Mr. Mohamed emphasized the importance of collective oversight and collaboration in ensuring the credibility of the voter register
“I believe that for us to have a credible register, it doesn’t take the Electoral Commission alone, it takes the political parties and individual citizens. When you take the registration of minors, basically it is we the political parties mobilize the people to register and we stand in to defend the ages of these persons. So it takes all of us not only the Electoral Commission to build a credible register”.
Haruna Mohammed
He further urged Ghanaians to approach the ongoing registration process with an optimistic outlook, warning that a negative mindset can actually undermine credibility and potentially lead to unethical behavior.
In essence, a credible voter register is essential for maintaining the principles of democracy, ensuring that the will of the people is reflected in election outcomes.
As such, it strengthens democracy, promotes transparency, and enhances the legitimacy of elected representatives. Therefore, electoral bodies must prioritize the establishment and maintenance of a credible voter register to uphold the integrity of democratic elections.
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