According to Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, an astute legal expert, the Electoral Commission’s refusal to submit to an audit is wholly unfounded, lacking any credible legal basis or legitimate justification.
Dr. Srem-Sai questioned the Electoral Commission’s resistance to the NDC’s audit request, citing the EC’s own commitment to transparency as a fundamental principle that should guide its actions.
“The purpose of electoral register audit is quite simple and desirable. It is to: (a) make it easier for those who are entitled to vote to vote; (b) make it impossible for persons who are not entitled to vote to not vote; (c) ensure that those who are entitled to vote only once; and, (d) make vote collation easier and the results more verifiable or ascertainable”.
Dr. Justice Srem-Sai
Dr. Srem-Sai stressed that a voter register audit is fundamentally a transparency measure, crucial for ensuring the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
He argued that time should be the only limiting factor in conducting a voter register audit, not resistance or opposition since transparency is the cornerstone of a credible, trustworthy, and democratic electoral process.
Dr. Srem-Sai stressed that the current voter register is irreparably flawed, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul.
The EC’s candid acknowledgment of these flaws, he stressed, not only validates the need for a thorough audit but also underscores the urgency of addressing these issues to ensure electoral integrity.
Dr. Srem-Sai highlighted that the voter register’s advanced electronic and biometric capabilities simplify the audit process, making it quicker, cheaper, and more feasible to complete within an impressively short span of just days.
Dr. Srem-Sai noted that time is running out to rectify the voter register’s deficiencies, as the December election draws near and the stakes for a transparent and trustworthy electoral process continue to rise.
He noted, however, that the demand for the audit was made in early September, allowing for a comfortable three-month timeline to conduct the audit before the election.
Government Claims Audit Process Remains Robust
However, Kwasi Kwarteng, government spokesperson and Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education clarified that the Exhibition of the voter register is a crucial step in the audit process.
Kwarteng explained that this exhibition is a key component of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) efforts to review and validate the register.
As such, he justified the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to decline the National Democratic Congress (NDC) request for an audit of the voter register
“There is no better way to audit the register than to give the over 17 million people the opportunity during the exhibition”. – Kwasi Kwarteng
Kwasi Kwarteng added that the Electoral Commission (EC) has a rigorous and effective internal mechanism in place to identify and rectify any discrepancies in the voter register.
Meanwhile, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah of the NDC emphasized the need for an independent external body to conduct the audit, likening it to a medical referral system where a second opinion is sought to ensure accuracy and objectivity.
“The very doctor who created the problem should not be the doctor that will resolve the problem. The UNDP is ready and willing to provide the support only if the Electoral Commission will write and request the support”.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
However, the EC maintained 1. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah expressed his disappointment, stressing that a forensic audit is crucial to restoring confidence in the electoral process.
He lamented that the Electoral Commission has not accepted the request for an independent forensic audit.
By steadfastly refusing to conduct the audit, the EC has exacerbated concerns about transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process, potentially undermining public trust in the 2024 elections.
Nevertheless, stakeholders persist in urging the Electoral Commission to revisit its decision, emphasizing the need for credibility and transparency in the electoral process.
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