According to Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, a Democracy and Development Fellow at CDD-Ghana, public trust in the Electoral Commission (EC) has plummeted to an all-time low, marking a historic nadir in the Afrobarometer survey’s records.
He stressed that, with the December elections looming, the Electoral Commission (EC) must take proactive measures to prevent any actions that could fuel additional skepticism among stakeholders about the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
In response to the EC’s apology for the unlawful transfer of voters between constituencies, he cautioned the Commission to exercise greater prudence and vigilance in its activities, not only during the elections but also in the pre-and post-electoral periods.
“Everyone should go into the December 7 elections confident that the processes will ensure a free and fair election. When you hear the news that an officer – even if it is just one – has illegally transferred voter registrations from one place to another, it raises serious concerns. Even a single incident can fuel a lot of questions”.
“I hope the EC will be very sensitive to this issue and ensure they do their utmost to avoid giving anyone any reason to doubt the election process”.
Dr. John Osae-Kwapong
Dr. Osae-Kwapong further stated that the suspension of the officer involved in the voter transfer controversy is a step in the right direction, but it only scratches the surface of the issue.
He indicated that As the Electoral Commission gears up for the upcoming election, it cannot afford to make even a single mistake.
He maintained that the current perception of its integrity is already precarious, and any further blunders will only serve to erode trust among stakeholders.
Dr. Osae-Kwapong stated that with the eyes of the nation upon it, the Commission must ensure that its operations are transparent, accurate, and beyond reproach.
He further noted that, in the high-stakes context of elections, the public is unlikely to differentiate between genuine errors and intentional malfeasance, even though no system is entirely flawless.
Expert Condemns Illegal Vote Transfer, Warns Of Widespread Disenfranchisement
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, Mussa Dankwah, expressed strong disapproval and disappointment regarding the illegal vote transfer incident.
Dankwah pointed out that if just 10 votes are illegally transferred at each polling station, it could potentially disenfranchise a staggering 380,000 eligible voters, depriving them of their right to participate in the electoral process.
He sounded a warning that the upcoming election will be unlike any other, defying traditional norms and expectations, and voters must be prepared for surprises and unpredictability.
“On its own, this [illegal transfer of votes] might not be material but if it is widespread, it could impact the outcome of the election significantly. A forensic audit is required to remove this suspicion. No IT control is perfect”.
“Forensic audit using IT and AI will not take long to conduct. If the Audit is carried out by a big audit firm and they certify that it is ok, we should not re-exhibit the register”.
Mussa Dankwah
Dankwah further emphasized that while small-scale illegal vote transfers may not significantly influence parliamentary elections, they could have a pivotal impact on the presidential race, where even a handful of votes can tip the balance.
He stressed that urgent measures must be implemented to safeguard the voting rights of all eligible citizens, given the prevailing concerns and controversies surrounding the Electoral Commission’s management of the electoral process.
The opposition NDC, however, expressed skepticism regarding the Electoral Commission’s assertion that it has no intention of manipulating the election, implying that they suspect the EC’s true intentions may be more sinister.
In light of these concerns, the NDC reiterated its demand for a comprehensive forensic audit or a parliamentary probe into the anomalies detected in the voter register, seeking a thorough examination to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
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