The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) is facing mounting pressure to conduct an independent audit of the voters register ahead of the December 7 general election.
Dr. Kwame Asiedu Sarpong, a fellow at CDD-Ghana, has urged the EC, led by Chairperson Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensah, to conduct a non-partisan audit to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the voters register.
According to him, this move is seen as crucial in maintaining public trust in the electoral process.
This call comes after the commission admitted to errors in the register, including voting transfers and instances of district officers engaging in voter registration irregularities.
Dr Asiedu Sarpong explained that “if the EC accepts that there were errors, then, by and large, the NDC is right.
“However, I was disappointed in the EC after they accepted responsibility at their press conference. They said we should ignore the propaganda the NDC is spreading, so I ask myself, is the EC implying that we’re foolish or what?” he questioned.
Speaking in an interview with Prof S.F Gyasi on Bresosem at Abusuafm, Dr Asiedu Sarpong stated that if the Electoral Commission has acknowledged errors in the register, their refusal to allow an independent audit has raised concerns among stakeholders.
He said “If the EC claims it has corrected all the errors, why are they not allowing an independent audit of the register? Not by the NPP or NDC, but by independent auditors”.
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has been vocal in its criticism of the EC, accusing them of attempting to cover up the extent of the errors.
Dr Asiedu Sarpong however noted that the situation bears similarities to the 2012 general election, when the then-EC Chairperson, Dr. Afari Gyan, allowed an independent audit of the voters register following concerns raised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He added that it helped to calm tensions and ensure a peaceful electoral process.
“A similar thing happened in 2012, and Dr. Afari Gyan, the then-EC Chairperson, allowed it. The NPP raised a red flag in 2012, and he permitted an audit of the voters’ register. Dr. Afari Gyan did so, and everything became calm”
Source: www.kumasimail.com /Kwadwo Owusu
