The Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Tanko Rashid Computer has insisted on the need for a credible voter register and highlighted the Electoral Commission’s (EC) admission of errors concerning the Provisional Voters Register (PVR).
Dr. Tanko commended the NDC’s vigilance and efforts in identifying the issues, however, he stressed that the EC could not have resolved these matters without the party’s intervention.
His remarks emphasized the role of the NDC in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the electoral process, while cautiously expressing optimism about the EC’s commitment to rectifying the identified problems.
“The EC themselves could not identify the issues they were talking about yesterday. So, the EC cannot take any credit whatsoever for what transpired… I think, not because of the NDC’s insistence and eagle eye on the PVR, your guess would have been as good as mine.”
Dr. Tanko Rashid Computer Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
He highlighted the crucial role played by the NDC in the process. He further pointed out that most of the presentations made by the EC, particularly by the Director of IT, were based on the issues that the NDC had already identified. This, he argued, was a vindication of the NDC’s concerns and efforts.
Admission of Errors by the EC
The Electoral Commission, during its presentation, admitted to three specific errors in the PVR, all of which had been previously raised by the NDC. According to Rashid, this was a clear acknowledgment of the NDC’s accuracy in identifying critical flaws in the system.
“They have taken time to work on them and admitted that actually something of that nature actually happened, and that led to them now putting aside that old PVR and now coming out with a revised PVR. That’s the credit to the NDC, and we have been vindicated.”
Dr. Tanko Rashid Computer Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
When questioned about whether there were additional concerns beyond the three errors admitted by the EC, Rashid maintained that the NDC was still vigilant but had decided to give the EC the benefit of the doubt for the time being.
He explained that while the NDC would accept the revised PVR, the party remained cautious about trusting the EC’s assurances without verifying the final document.
“For now, that is why if you look at our statement, we are giving them the benefit of the doubt. But having said they have corrected the register after the admissions of all the issues we have been tabling along, most Ghanaians were saying that we don’t have evidence. We didn’t bring evidence. And [now] they saw it. Everything the man was talking about was our evidence.”
Dr. Tanko Rashid Computer Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Accepting the Revised PVR
Dr. Tanko expressed a cautious willingness to accept the revised PVR, provided it met the NDC’s expectations for accuracy and completeness. He stated that the party would thoroughly review the document before giving its final approval.
The Deputy Director of Elections and IT stressed the importance of ensuring that all issues were properly addressed before proceeding.
“We accept the new PVR they are bringing. So, we have to take it first. Because these are people, when you trust them with their words, they come out with different things on paper.”
Mr. Tanko Rashid Computer Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
He further explained that the NDC would review the revised provisional voters’ register once it was released by the EC.
“When we take it, we accepted that [and] we will take it. [however], we will restate it. If everything is fine, they have cleaned everything as we want …, we are good to go. We have no problem with that.”
Dr. Tanko Rashid Computer Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Distinguishing Between the Register and IT System
Dr. Tanko also highlighted the distinction between issues related to the voters’ register.
“In terms of the register or the IT system, because there are two issues we are dealing with. The register, the IT system. The register for now, until we get the revised PVR, if we look at the PVR and everything is set, it will be better.”
Dr. Tanko Rashid Computer Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the National Democratic Congress (NDC)
Dr. Tanko Rashid’s statement reflected the NDC’s vigilant approach to the electoral process and the party’s determination to ensure the integrity of the voters’ register.
By identifying the issues that the EC later admitted to, the NDC played a crucial role in pushing for necessary corrections. While cautiously optimistic, Mr. Tanko emphasized that the NDC would continue to closely monitor the situation, ensuring that all concerns were addressed before fully endorsing the revised PVR.
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