Nana Ohene-Ntow, Director of Elections Planning and Coordination for the Movement for Change (M4C), has issued an urgent appeal to the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana on behalf of Hon. Alan Kyerematen, Independent Presidential Candidate and leader of the M4C and the Alliance for Revolutionary Change (ARC).
The letter outlined serious concerns about the integrity of the current Voters Register as Ghana prepares for its crucial General Elections on December 7th, 2024.
“The proposed process outlined mirrors a ‘forensic audit’ being advocated for by a section of the Ghanaian public, and ought to come up with a Voters Register acceptable to all contestants and voters in the upcoming 2024 General Elections.”
Nana Ohene-Ntow, Director of Elections Planning and Coordination for the Movement for Change (M4C),
Many civil society groups and political analysts have advocated for a more thorough examination of the register, particularly in light of the data integrity concerns that have been raised.
By conducting such an audit, M4C and ARC believe that the Electoral Commission would not only bolster public confidence in the electoral process but also ensure that the final register is acceptable to all contestants and the voting public. This, they argued, is a crucial step in safeguarding the credibility of the 2024 General Elections.
The primary issue raised by the M4C and ARC is the alleged poor data control within the current Voters Register. This situation has created significant anxiety among political candidates, civil society organizations, and the general public, all of whom are keenly interested in the accuracy and fairness of the electoral process.
Although the Electoral Commission has acknowledged the validity of these concerns and initiated steps to address them, Ohene-Ntow pointed out that the ongoing internal review process lacks the transparency required to satisfy all stakeholders.
As Ghana’s election draws near, the risk of public mistrust in the electoral system continues to grow, potentially undermining the legitimacy of the election results.
High-Level ‘Technical Working Group’
To address these concerns and ensure broad-based acceptance of the Voters Register, M4C proposed the establishment of a high-level “Technical Working Group (TWG)”.
“[The group] chaired by the Electoral Commission with representatives of Candidates cleared to contest the General Elections, and the Consultants responsible for the EC data management.”
Nana Ohene-Ntow, Director of Elections Planning and Coordination for the Movement for Change (M4C),
The primary objective of this TWG would be to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the Voters Register, using a set of key source documents, which include: “The final 2020 Voters Register, Limited Registration information since 2021, Voter Transfers effected since 2021, and Special Voters Lists since 2020 to date.”
the M4C and ARC noted that members of the Technical Working Group should have full access to the original copies of these documents, allowing them to verify the accuracy of the entries and compare them against each other.
“Representatives of Candidates cleared to contest the General Elections, who have written evidence of any compromised data in respect of the current Voter Register, are required to submit same to all members of the Technical Working Group, before the start of the audit process.”
Nana Ohene-Ntow, Director of Elections Planning and Coordination for the Movement for Change (M4C),
M4C and ARC stated that this joint approach, with full participation from all relevant stakeholders, would offer the transparency needed to settle any lingering doubts about the integrity of the Voters Register.
By doing so, it would position the country for a “free, fair, transparent, and credible election”, ensuring that the outcome reflects the will of the people of Ghana.
“The timeline proposed for the exercise is from the 30th September, 2024 to the 11th October, 2024. This would enable the EC to release a Final Voters Register by the 14th October, 2024.”
Nana Ohene-Ntow, Director of Elections Planning and Coordination for the Movement for Change (M4C),
Nana Ohene-Ntow reiterated the importance of transparency and collaboration in addressing these critical issues.
As the countdown to the 2024 elections continues, the response of the Electoral Commission to this proposal will be crucial in determining the path forward and ensuring a fair electoral process that reflects the true will of the Ghanaian people.
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