In a sharp and unreserved critique, National Democratic Congress (NDC) activist Dela Coffie has expressed deep concerns about the Electoral Commission’s (EC) readiness for the 2024 elections, raising red flags over the commission’s recent claims that its voter data system is robust and secure.
Dela Coffie, a well-known voice within the NDC, voiced his astonishment at the EC’s confidence, despite admitting that their system is still being developed to address illegal transfers of voters between constituencies.
“It’s astonishing to me that the Electoral Commission (EC), having conceded at the last IPAC meeting that they are now in the process of developing a system to examine the 2024 register with the objective of determining illegal transfers, is still adamant that the electoral register is robust and ready for Election 2024”.
Dela Coffie, NDC Activist
Vulnerability and Data Breaches
Dela Coffie’s critique goes beyond concerns about the EC’s capability to manage illegal voter transfers. He zeroed in on the vulnerability of the EC’s data system, referring to earlier acknowledgements from the commission that certain files had been corrupted.
He highlighted that the EC’s own Director of IT had conceded that the system was susceptible to breaches, echoing the NDC’s long-standing position that the electoral data infrastructure is vulnerable.
He argued that the vulnerability of the system was indicative of a high likelihood of unauthorized access and potential data breaches, which could jeopardize the integrity of the 2024 elections.
The National Democratic Congress Activist challenged the EC’s claim of a fully secure and functional electoral register
“On the flip side, I thought the EC’s own Director of IT has alluded to the NDC position that its IT system is vulnerable. Is the system vulnerability not suggestive of a high likelihood of unauthorized access and data breaches?”
Cognitive Dissonance within the EC
Dela Coffie’s scathing remarks also addressed what he referred to as “catastrophic cognitive dissonances” within the EC’s leadership under Mrs Jean Mensa.
According to him, the commission’s approach to handling the voter register is riddled with contradictions.
He pointed out that while the EC admitted to errors and irregularities in the voter roll, it remains vehemently opposed to the idea of conducting a thorough clean-up of the electoral register before the 2024 elections.
“In fact, if there is one thing this agonizing EC leadership has proved, it is the case that there seems to be an Electoral Commission which quite admits to mistakes on its voter’s roll but is vehemently opposed to the idea of a total clean-up of the error-ridden voter’s roll”.
Dela Coffie, NDC Activist
He noted that the EC’s reluctance to rectify its mistakes suggests a deliberate refusal to address deeper systemic issues, which could undermine the upcoming elections.
Dela Coffie also criticized what he sees as the EC’s prioritization of personal or institutional interests over national democratic processes.
“Given the recent dogmatic behaviour of the commissioners and their seeming obsession with the reformulation of the commission to the needs of the commissioner’s own parochial interest with no idea of any potential for the harm being done, they really ought to take the plunge”.
Dela Coffie, NDC Activist
Call for Action
The NDC activist’s remarks serve as a call for the EC to take more meaningful action in addressing the problems plaguing the voter register.
He called for a decisive clean-up of the errors in the system to ensure a credible and transparent election in 2024.
“I really don’t know how much more it will take for the EC to step up to the plate of genuine and meaningful remedial action regarding the 2024 voter’s roll,” Coffie remarked.
His statements reflect the growing frustration within the NDC and other opposition voices regarding the EC’s management of the electoral process.
The activist, however, made it clear that he would continue to monitor the situation closely, stating, “I shall be back.”
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