A disturbing trend that has marred the ongoing limited voter registration exercise in Ghana is the registration of minors.
This alarming phenomenon has prompted the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) to issue a strong condemnation, urging political parties and other actors engaging in such conduct to desist from such practices that undermine the country’s democratic process.
Despite these warnings, the malpractice continues, driven by political ambition and the desire to secure votes at any cost.
Musa Danquah, the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, has articulated a compelling argument against these illicit activities.
According to him, true representation in a democracy means being elected by and speaking for the legitimate constituents of an area.
He strongly asserted that the practice of busing individuals who do not reside in a constituency to register and vote, along with enlisting underage individuals, directly contravenes the fundamental principles of democracy.
Mr Danquah further pointed out that even though many minors involved in the ongoing registration exercise possess Ghana cards, which are issued by the National Identification Authority (NIA), they mostly manage to register to vote by concealing their true age.
This, he argued not only skews the electoral process but also sets a dangerous precedent for the rule of law in Ghana.
Mr Danquah also posited that the involvement of political figures in such illicit activities portends a troubling disregard for democratic values and an eagerness to attain power by any means necessary.
Touching on how to address or combat these electoral malpractices, the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics proposed a pragmatic solution, calling for the synchronization of Electoral Commission and National Identification Authority data.
He emphasized that by utilizing the comprehensive database maintained by the National Identification Authority, the Electoral Commission can detect discrepancies and identify minors who have unlawfully registered to vote.
Mr Danquah further added that such a cross-referencing can serve as a robust mechanism to ensure that only eligible voters participate in elections.
“We are gradually destroying our democracy. The government should prioritize the issuance of Ghana cards to all 15-year-olds. Registration of minors for voting will be difficult in the future”.
Musa Danquah, Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics
Moreover, Mr Danquah emphasized that the Electoral Commission should not limit itself to internal audits for double registrations but should also conduct external queries using National Identification Authority data.
This process, he noted would help identify minors with Ghana cards who have registered to vote without presenting their cards, exploiting loopholes to bypass age verification.
Mr Danquah also added that implementing such measures would not only act as a deterrent but also reinforce the rule of law, emphasizing that those found guilty of guaranteeing minors’ registrations, as well as the minors themselves, would face appropriate legal consequences.
He posited while it may be challenging to catch every violator, such a strategy would significantly reduce the incidence of such fraud and restore faith in the country’s electoral system.
A Call to Preserve Democratic Integrity
The Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytcs concluded his remarks by stating that the actions of politicians who seek to win power through dishonest means are gradually eroding the foundations of Ghana’s democracy, thereby calling for decisive action.
He underscored the need for the Electoral Commission of Ghana to collaborate with the National Identification Authority to create a transparent, accountable, and credible electoral process.
He emphasized that such collaboration will ensure that the true meaning of democracy, the representation by and for the people is upheld.
From the foregoing, it is without a shred of doubt that the practice of registering minors and non-residents undermines the democratic process and threatens the integrity of elections in Ghana.
Mr Danquah’s call for utilizing National Identification Authority data to verify voter eligibility is a necessary step toward rectifying this alarming situation.
As he earlier intimated, the Electoral Commission of Ghana and the National Identification Authority must act swiftly and decisively to safeguard the future of Ghanaian democracy and uphold the principles of fairness and justice in the electoral process.
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