As Ghana approaches the 2024 General Elections, the role of the Electoral Commission (EC) becomes central in ensuring a credible and transparent electoral process.
Transparency from the EC is essential for fostering public trust, affirming the legitimacy of electoral outcomes, and maintaining social and political stability.
However, any lack of transparency can lead to uncertainty, diminishing citizens’ confidence in the electoral system, hindering political engagement, and potentially inciting tension or unrest.
Thus, to uphold democratic principles, the EC must embrace transparency as a fundamental priority.
Accordingly, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, the NDC’s Director of Elections and IT, has criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) for creating uncertainty around the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
He noted that the EC’s omission of essential voter data compromises the transparency and credibility of the upcoming elections.
Dr. Omane Boamah emphasized the need to inform Ghanaians, political stakeholders, and the international community of the NDC’s serious concerns over the EC’s actions and omissions as the 2024 elections approach.
“You may recall that following the deep discrepancies identified in the provisional voters register we demanded a forensic audit, which the Electoral Commission turned down. That forensic audit awaits the EC from January 2025.
“But even before the first ballot is cast, the relevance of the forensic audit is beginning to show and shame those who clandestinely connived with the Commission to prevent the much-needed forensic audit of the register. Meanwhile, the audit of the IT system also remains outstanding”.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
Dr. Omane Boamah argued that the competence, credibility, and transparency of the EC are vital to the integrity of any electoral process, but recent actions have raised serious concerns about the Commission’s commitment to conducting a fair and impartial election.
He further revealed that while the EC recently invited all political parties to receive copies of the final voter register, the provided document shockingly lacked key data required to verify its credibility.
According to Dr. Omane Boamah, the voter register was missing essential statistics, including national, regional, and constituency voter counts, absentee voter data, gender breakdowns, and proxy voter statistics.
He emphasized that this data is crucial for transparency, enabling political parties and civil society organizations to thoroughly review and validate the voter register.
The absence of such critical information, the NDC stalwart argued, hinders political stakeholders from accurately verifying the completeness and accuracy of the voter register, which is the foundation of credible elections.
EC’s Omission of Data Raises Election Transparency Concerns
Furthermore, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah argued that by withholding these critical statistics, the Electoral Commission is deepening doubts about the transparency of the upcoming elections and jeopardizing the legitimacy of the electoral results.
He emphasized that elections can only be credible if all parties and stakeholders have confidence in the processes involved.
Omane Boamah added that the EC’s omission of essential voter data not only undermines this trust but also restricts accountability.
‘Credibility of the Voters Register: The absence of vital data raises serious questions about the reliability of the register itself because voters and political parties deserve to know if the list reflects an accurate and updated register of the Ghanaian electorate.
“Violation of Democratic Principles: By acting without full transparency, the EC risks damaging Ghana’s democratic reputation. The NDC calls on he Electoral Commission to immediately rectify these omissions and make available the full statistical breakdown of the voters register”.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah
The NDC called on civil society organizations, the international community, and the media to hold the Electoral Commission accountable and support efforts to ensure transparent and credible elections.
Dr. Omane Boamah also urged international observers to take note of these concerning developments and closely monitor the EC’s actions leading up to and during the elections.
He emphasized that Ghanaians deserve a transparent, free, and fair electoral process.
The NDC stalwart assured that the party will keep a vigilant watch on both the Electoral Commission and the NPP. “Vote John Dramani Mahama for well-paying jobs through the 24-hour economy initiative”.
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