The Positive Transparency and Accountability Movement-Ghana (PTAAM-GH), the Alliance for Social Equality and Public Accountability (ASEPA), and the AriseGhana Movement have announced their unified support for the nationwide protests organized by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) against the Electoral Commission (EC) for its refusal to conduct a forensic audit of the 2024 Provisional Voters Register.
PTAAM-GH, ASEPA, and AriseGhana expressed deep concerns over concerns of illegal voter registration transfers, asserting that without a thorough investigation into these allegations, the credibility of the upcoming December 7 elections could be compromised.
In a joint statement issued by the coalition, Ebenezer Havor, President of PTAAM-GH, Mensah Thomson, Executive Secretary of ASEPA and Bernard Mornah, Convener of AriseGhana, stressed the gravity of the situation and called for urgent action from the Electoral Commission of Ghana.
“We, the above-mentioned organisations are united in our support for the ongoing nationwide protests against the Electoral Commission (EC) and the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
“Our organizations are deeply concerned about the EC’s refusal to subject the 2024 Provisional Voters Register to a forensic audit, despite credible reports of illegal transfers of voter registrations across the country.”
Ebenezer Havor, President of PTAAM-GH, Mensah Thomson, Executive Secretary of ASEPA and Bernard Mornah, Convener of AriseGhana,
Urgent Calls for Forensic Audit and Independent Oversight
The coalition’s primary demand is for an immediate and comprehensive forensic audit of the 2024 Provisional Voters Register, emphasising that a forensic audit is vital to ensuring that the electoral roll remains free from manipulation, which could otherwise skew the democratic process.
“Ensuring the electoral roll is accurate and tamper-proof is essential for preserving the democratic rights of all Ghanaians,” the statement added.
They insisted that the audit be carried out by an independent body, free from political influence and that its findings be fully disclosed to the public.
This, they argued, is the only way to restore confidence in the EC and prevent potential electoral fraud.
Moreover, Ebenezer Havor, President of PTAAM-GH, Mensah Thomson, Executive Secretary of ASEPA and Bernard Mornah, Convener of AriseGhana warned that the failure to audit the register could lead to a democratic crisis, asserting that the foundation of Ghana’s democracy is transparency, accountability, and fairness.
According to them, the refusal to audit the voter register by the EC would undermine the above mentioned principles, putting the legitimacy of the elections at risk.
Ebenezer Havor, President of PTAAM-GH, Mensah Thomson, Executive Secretary of ASEPA and Bernard Mornah, Convener of AriseGhana echoed the coalition’s stance that nothing short of an independent audit would be acceptable, adding that Ghanaians deserve full transparency to ensure a fair election outcome.
A Nationwide Call to Action
Additionally, the coalition called for peaceful protests, urging all concerned Ghanaians, civil society groups, and political stakeholders to join the upcoming protest to safeguard Ghana’s democracy.
“This is not just about one party or one election. This is about the future of our democracy. We cannot and will not accept this disregard for electoral integrity”.
Ebenezer Havor, President of PTAAM-GH, Mensah Thomson, Executive Secretary of ASEPA and Bernard Mornah, Convener of AriseGhana,
The coalition also indicated its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with the EC and other stakeholders, should the opportunity arise.
They emphasized their commitment to peaceful demonstrations and their belief that dialogue remains a vital tool for resolving these critical issues.
The PTAAM-GH, ASEPA, and AriseGhana reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the 2024 elections reflect the true will of the people.
The organizations’ joint declaration made it clear that they will not relent in their efforts to demand electoral accountability and transparency.
“We will continue to advocate for a fair and transparent electoral process. The future of Ghana’s democracy depends on the integrity of the 2024 elections”, the statment concluded.
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