The Electoral Commission’s (EC) IT and statistics departments play a crucial role in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process.
However, if these departments are weak, it can have far-reaching consequences on the 2024 elections.
A weak IT system can lead to inaccuracies in voter registration, which is the foundation of a fair electoral process.
If eligible voters are not registered or are registered incorrectly, it can lead to disenfranchisement and undermine the legitimacy of the elections.
Moreover, a vulnerable IT system can be susceptible to cyber-attacks, potentially allowing malicious actors to manipulate the voting process.
Likewise, inefficient IT systems can lead to slow transmission of election results, causing unnecessary anxiety and potentially fueling disputes.
In today’s digital age, rapid communication of results is expected, and any delays can erode trust in the electoral process.
More so, weak statistics departments may struggle with accurate vote counting, which can alter election outcomes. Inaccurate results can lead to disputes, litigation, and potentially even violence.
Accordingly, Dr. Omane Boamah, Director of Elections and IT for the NDC has expressed concern that the Electoral Commission of Ghana’s IT and Statistics departments are the most vulnerable components ahead of the 2024 elections.
“Think about the numerous EC’s incorrect figures that the National Elections and IT Directorate of the NDC have corrected over the past few months”.
“Think about the inappropriate use of CorelDraw for arithmetic. Think about the recurring network failures that have afflicted registration exercises”.
Dr. Omane Boamah
He suggested that the Electoral Commission’s inability to address these preventable issues within its IT and Statistics departments implies a lack of willingness or a deliberate decision to overlook them.
As such, Dr. Omane Boamah confidently stated that any attempts by the Electoral Commission to compromise the integrity of the December elections will ultimately be unsuccessful.
IT Gaps Threaten Election Transparency
Furthermore, inadequate IT and statistics capabilities can limit the availability of election data, reducing transparency and trust in the electoral process.
In a democratic election, transparency is essential to ensure accountability and build confidence in the outcome.
Similarly, repeated issues with IT and statistics can erode public trust in the electoral process, potentially leading to voter apathy or unrest.
If citizens lose faith in the electoral process, it can have long-term consequences for democracy.
As a result, Dr. Omane Boamah declared that the NDC will consistently provide accurate figures to counteract and rectify any discrepancies or errors that may arise from the Electoral Commission’s announcements.
He cautioned the public against being swayed by the current fear-mongering surrounding IT transmission issues, emphasizing that Ghana’s election process is primarily manual, which mitigates the risk of technological interference.
Moreover, the NDC stalwart emphasized that if incorrect figures are recorded at the polling stations or collation centers, those same incorrect figures will be transmitted, unless they are promptly identified and challenged.
Dr. Omane Boamah, therefore, appealed to the public to remain vigilant and closely monitor the electoral process, both at the polling stations and at the collation centers, to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the election results.
“Leave the rest to us to battle it out with the EC elegantly and if need be in-elegantly! Let me assure you: We will collate our results on time every step of the way”.
“And we shall relay the results to the next line in the chain within record time. We shall protect your votes! Vote John Dramani Mahama for well-paying jobs through the 24-hour economy initiative”.
Dr. Omane Boamah
Thus, it is essential for the EC to address the weaknesses in its IT and statistics departments to ensure a smooth, accurate, and trustworthy electoral process in 2024.
Investing in robust IT systems, training personnel, and ensuring transparency can help build trust and guarantee the integrity of the elections.
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