The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has strongly criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s demand for a forensic audit of the voter’s register ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

At a press conference held on Thursday, September 19, NPP General Secretary Justin Frimpong Kodua dismissed the call as “hypocritical and mischievous.”

The NPP accused the NDC of attempting to create unnecessary tension in the country through their demands. He questioned the NDC’s commitment to producing a credible electoral register, given their reluctance to submit evidence of alleged irregularities to the Electoral Commission (EC).

Kodua’s remarks were pointed, as he accused the NDC of failing to substantiate its claims of irregularities, calling into question the opposition party’s commitment to transparency and electoral integrity.

“We ask where lies the commitment of the NDC to help produce a credible register when they are refusing to submit evidence of an alleged irregularity to the EC in view of the submission made by the New Patriotic Party.”
Justin Frimpong Kodua, NPP General Secretary

The NPP leader went on to characterize the NDC’s insistence on a forensic audit as part of a broader strategy aimed at creating unrest.

According to Kodua, the NDC is aware that it stands little chance of winning the upcoming election and is therefore seeking to undermine confidence in the electoral process.

Kodua’s comments underscore the growing political tension between the two major political parties in Ghana as the 2024 general elections approach.

The NDC has consistently expressed concerns about the voter’s register, with party officials calling for a forensic audit to ensure that any irregularities are identified and corrected before the election.

These concerns intensified after the EC admitted to some administrative lapses, including the illegal transfer of votes by district officers.

While the Commission has since rectified these issues and penalized the officers involved, the NDC has maintained that a full independent forensic audit is necessary to restore public confidence.

In response to the NDC’s calls, the NPP has repeatedly argued that the EC is fully capable of managing the electoral process without external interference.

“Mr Mahama, why are you and the NDC not allowing the Electoral Commission to decide what to do but are embarking on a demonstration?” Kodua asked, referring to the NDC’s recent protests.

NPP’s Challenge to NDC

In his address, Justin Frimpong Kodua challenged the NDC to present any concrete evidence of errors or irregularities to the EC for verification, rather than demanding an audit without justification.

“If indeed there are any errors, the NDC should present them to the EC for verification,” he said, dismissing the opposition’s continued calls for a forensic audit as unnecessary.

Kodua further claimed that the NDC’s push for an audit is not grounded in a genuine desire for electoral fairness but is instead a political tactic aimed at discrediting the election before it has even taken place.

He described the demand as part of a broader pattern of behavior by the opposition that seeks to cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral process.

The NPP’s fierce response to the NDC’s audit request highlighted the deep divisions between the two major political parties as the 2024 general elections draw near. With tensions already high, Kodua’s accusations that the NDC is deliberately causing unrest over the voter’s register are likely to further inflame the political atmosphere in the months leading up to the December polls.

The NPP, for its part, is determined to stand by the EC and its processes, accusing the NDC of attempting to undermine trust in Ghana’s democratic institutions. With both parties digging in their heels, it remains to be seen whether any form of compromise will be reached before election day.