In recent discourse on Ghana’s electoral process, the state of the voters’ register has been a focal point of debate. Concerns have emerged regarding the credibility of the voters’ register.
According to Pro. John Osae Kwapong, a CDD Fellow has called on the EC to ensure that the Voter register is authentic to ensure the integrity of the Upcoming election.
He posited that a credible voters’ register is not just about preventing electoral fraud, but also about fostering confidence in both the process and outcomes of elections.
Prof. Kwapong shared his perspective on the ongoing calls for a forensic audit of the register, highlighting the importance of both administrative processes and trust in the Electoral Commission (EC).
Prof. Kwapong emphasized that the importance of a credible voter register cannot be overstated. He argued that it goes to the heart of ensuring the overall credibility of the election.
In his view, without a trustworthy register, the integrity of the election could be called into question, leading to disputes over the outcomes.
“A credible voters’ register goes to the heart of ensuring that you can have an election whose credibility and integrity is accepted by all, as well as improving the confidence in not just the process but also in the eventual outcomes of the election.”
Prof. John Osae Kwapong CDD Fellow
He elaborated that the call for a forensic audit of the voters’ register implies that the anomalies detected are severe enough that the EC’s internal processes may not be sufficient to address them.
This, he suggested should raise concerns about the capacity of the EC to rectify the situation without external oversight.
Forensic Audit: A Last Resort or Immediate Necessity?
According to Prof. Kwapong, a forensic audit should not be the first option when issues arise concerning the voters’ register.
He contended that the EC’s internal administrative processes should be given a chance to correct the anomalies before turning to such an audit.
His stance is rooted in the belief that administrative oversight, with input from political parties, could address the issues in a timely and effective manner.
“I am of the opinion that when you call for a forensic audit, then it means that whatever anomalies have been detected are so egregious that the EC’s internal administrative processes will not be sufficient enough to address those anomalies and correct them.”
Prof. John Osae Kwapong CDD Fellow
In this regard, Prof. Kwapong recommended that the EC should first be allowed to resolve these concerns through internal processes. Afterwards, the political parties should be brought in to assess the fixes and determine if they are satisfactory.
He viewed the call for a forensic audit as a measure that should be employed only if the EC’s efforts fail to adequately resolve the identified issues.
The Role of Trust in Electoral Processes
At the core of the debate surrounding the voters’ register, Prof. Kwapong’s argumentation is the issue of trust.
He cited the Afrobarometer survey, which showed that the EC currently enjoys a low trust level of just 10%. This lack of trust, according to Dr. Kwapong, undermined the EC’s ability to assure the public that it can manage its internal processes effectively.
“To have or not to have an audit, or whether you accept the EC’s assurance that we can use our internal processes to fix this, also boils down to the question of trust.”
Prof. John Osae Kwapong CDD Fellow
The low trust in the EC, he suggested is a significant barrier to resolving the concerns over the voters’ register.
Even if the EC were capable of fixing the issues through its internal processes, the public might still lack confidence in its ability to do so. For this reason, Prof. Kwapong believes that restoring trust in the EC is critical to the success of any measures it takes to address the register’s discrepancies.
Balancing Trust and Administrative Processes
While Prof. Kwapong advocated for the EC to address the issues with the register internally, he also recognized the urgency imposed by time constraints. With elections approaching, there is limited time for the EC to conduct thorough reviews and involve political parties in the process.
However, he insisted that the EC should first be allowed to rectify the issues before resorting to an audit, particularly given the high stakes and the time-sensitive nature of election preparations.
“For me, my position had always been, if you can appeal to the better angels of the EC as an institution and allow them to use their internal administrative processes to fix this, and then if the fixes are not satisfactory, then you want to pull the card of a forensic audit.”
Prof. John Osae Kwapong CDD Fellow
He suggested that while time constraints are indeed a factor, the decision to proceed with an audit should be carefully considered based on whether the EC can demonstrate that it has made significant improvements through its internal processes.
Addressing Discrepancies in a Climate of Mistrust
Ultimately, Prof. Kwapong’s position on the voters’ register issue is rooted in a broader concern about trust in electoral institutions.
While he acknowledged that there are legitimate concerns about the register, he urged that the EC be allowed to address the issues internally, with oversight from political parties.
However, he also recognized that the low levels of public trust in the EC complicate this approach and that a forensic audit may be necessary if the internal processes fail to restore confidence in the register. He noted; “This is boiling down to the situation in which the EC finds itself.”
He pointed to the institution’s lack of trust as a key obstacle in resolving the current concerns over the voters’ register.
Prof. Kwapong’s measured stance reflected a desire to strike a balance between ensuring the credibility of the voters’ register and maintaining trust in the electoral process, while also considering the practical constraints of time and institutional capacity.
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