A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Communications Team, Hamza S. Suhuyini has added his voice to growing calls for an independent audit of Ghana’s voters register, underscoring the necessity of such an audit to guarantee a peaceful and credible electoral process in the upcoming December 2024 general elections.
His remarks come amidst the NDC’s rising concerns over the impartiality and credibility of the Electoral Commission (EC) under its current leadership, which has been the subject of partisan debates.
Drawing attention to recent developments in some African countries, Mr Suhuyini highlighted how countries like Kenya and Togo have embraced independent audits of their electoral processes, particularly the voter register, to promote transparency and confidence in the outcomes.
“Ghana’s recent history of partisan appointments to the commission from the head to her deputies even makes such a call compelling if we must avoid toxic disputes in the upcoming elections.
“It should be in Ghana’s electoral commissioner’s interest to conduct such an audit to assure the Ghanaian people of their impartiality despite their partisan backgrounds”.
Hamza S Suhuyini, a member of the NDC Communications Team
He stressed that Ghana, which has recently experienced its share of electoral disputes, is not exempt from the need for similar scrutiny.
He further argued that it is in the EC’s own interest to conduct such an audit, not only to reassure Ghanaians of its neutrality but also to foster trust in the electoral system.
“It should be in Ghana’s Electoral Commissioner’s interest to conduct such an audit to assure the Ghanaian people of their impartiality despite their partisan backgrounds”, he emphasized.
Ensuring Credible Electoral Roll
Hamza Suhuyini further underscored that one of the most effective ways to ensure the credibility of the electoral roll is by opening it up to independent audits.
He acknowledged the political taint that often surrounds electoral bodies, largely due to how their leadership is appointed, but maintained that an independent audit would provide an opportunity for the EC to demonstrate its commitment to transparency.
“Electoral bodies will continue to be tainted politically because of how its heads are appointed. However, one sure way of ensuring some credibility is a commitment by these officers to opening up their activities to independent audits to build some measure of trust in the process.”
Hamza S Suhuyini, a member of the NDC Communications Team
The NDC communications strategist emphasized that the credibility of an election hinges on the integrity of the processes leading up to it, particularly the voter registration process.
He warned that a disputed voter register could have dire consequences for the country’s peace and stability, much more than financial mismanagement at the EC would.
“Audits should not only be limited to the finances of the EC but to its processes leading up to the conduct of national elections. A disputed voter register will cost the nation more than embezzled funds by the EC.”
Hamza S Suhuyini, a member of the NDC Communications Team
Suhuyini reiterated the NDC’s firm stance on the issue, urging Ghanaians to support the party’s nationwide demonstrations aimed at compelling the EC to open the voter register for independent scrutiny.
He also reiterated the National Democratic Congress allegations, accusing the Electoral Commission of colluding with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of engaging in illegal voter transfers designed to disenfranchise legitimate voters, particularly those outside their registered regions.
“The NDC has shown evidence of how voters have been illegally transferred outside their registered regions to disenfranchise them on the day of elections”, he remarked.
Mr Suhuyini disclosed that over 18,000 polling stations were targeted in this alleged scheme, with voters being unlawfully transferred without their knowledge, setting them up to be turned away on election day.
He concluded that the only way to address this injustice and prevent a potential electoral crisis is through an independent audit of the voter register, which will help restore confidence in the EC’s operations ahead of the 2024 general elections.
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