The Electoral Commission of Ghana has recently come under intense scrutiny following errors in figures reported in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.
This issue has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters and ignited a wave of scepticism among the general public, particularly from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The oppositional National Democratic Congress has been particularly vocal in expressing its concerns, highlighting the potential implications these errors could have on the credibility of the upcoming December 7 polls.
Commenting on the development, Musa Danquah, the Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics, expressed grave dismay in his critique of the Electoral Commission.
In a statement, Mr Danquah chastised the Commission for the frequent errors in its reports, emphasising the need for accountability, and urging the leadership of the Commission to take urgent measures to address the worrying development.
Mr Danquah, in calling for accountability asserted “I think it is time for someone at the EC to take full responsibility and resign”, pointing to the need for clear accountability within the Commission.
He posited that the errors in the registration figures are more than just administrative lapses as they have far-reaching implications for Ghana’s electoral process.
The Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics further emphasized that such mistakes are reminiscent of the controversies that surrounded the 2020 general election results, leading to the opposition party going to the Supreme Court.
He vehemently asserted that the lingering disputes from the previous election cycle have already strained public trust in the Electoral Commission, and the current registration errors threaten to exacerbate such mistrust.
Mr Danquah decried the repercussion of an exacerbated public mistrust in the country’s electoral management body, thereby underscoring the critical nature of accurate and reliable reporting by the Electoral Commission.
“The Electoral Commission of Ghana cannot make any mistake in the figures they put out in public and I hope you understand that otherwise, people will not have confidence in the election results they publish”.
Musa Danquah, Executive Director of Global InfoAnalytics
Credibility of Electoral Commission
Moreover, Musa Danquah, the renowned pollster strongly posited that the credibility of the Electoral Commission is foundational to the country’s democratic process and every democratic governance.
He stated that the provision of errors in voter registration figures by the Commission can cast doubt on the integrity of the entire electoral process, leading to questions about the fairness and transparency of the elections.
Mr Danquah expressed concerns about the absence of a strong quality control culture within the Commission, urging that systemic issues within the organization need to be addressed to prevent further mistakes.
As the December 7 polls approach, it is imperative for the Electoral Commission of Ghana to take concrete steps to rectify these errors and restore public confidence.
Mr Danquah’s call for the Commission to take responsibility is not just a demand for accountability, but a necessary step towards ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
By taking responsibility and implementing stringent quality control measures, the Commission can restore public confidence and ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner.
The Commission must therefore adopt best practices and adhere to due diligence in all its operations to prevent a repeat of the controversies that marred the 2020 general elections.
As Musa Danquah, the Executive Director of the Global InfoAnalytics earlier articulated, the stakes are too high for any lapses, and the credibility of the Electoral Commission is essential for the democratic process in Ghana.
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