Voters register brouhaha: Table audit demand at IPAC - CODEO

Samuel Duodu & Emmanuel Bonney Sep - 19 - 2024 , 09:45

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) says the petition for a forensic audit of the voters register being demanded by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) must be tabled at an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting for the input of other parties and stakeholders on the matter.

Governance expert, Professor Baffour Agyeman-Duah, has also called for dialogue to resolve the issues that led to last Tuesday’s regional-based simultaneous street protests by the main opposition party, suggesting that a third-party audit could be explored, while a political scientist, Dr Samuel Kofi Darkwa, said the NDC’s concerns were valid, and that a forensic audit would ensure the reliability of the register.

“CODEO believes that the forum for this issue now should be at IPAC so that it will involve maybe the political parties, the CSOs (civil society organisations) and other organisations so that it will have a broad perspective,” the election observer body said.

In an interview with Graphic Online's Samuel Duodu and Emmanuel Bonney in Accra on Wednesday [Sept 18, 2024], the National Coordinator of CODEO, Albert Arhin, said going forward, the electorate must show interest in the voter exhibition exercise to help to correct possible errors in the data system.

“Truly speaking, many of the issues involved could have been resolved amicably if people had gone in there, for example, to check whether their names were in the register or whether there were discrepancies here and there.

“The bulk of Ghanaians don't go for exhibition exercises. They don't, so what does that mean? Honestly, if we are taking the exhibition exercise seriously, it is supposed to be correcting many of these anomalies,” Mr Arhin said.

Some other prominent figures, namely the Executive Director of the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, and a Development Communications specialist, Patrick Richard Okine, have also added their voices to the call for an audit of the electoral role.

Dialogue

Prof. Agyeman-Duah, who is also a former United Nations Senior Governance Advisor, emphasised the need for consensus-building to resolve the issue, suggesting that a third-party audit could be explored.

"The EC claims to have an in-built audit process, but if there's a real need for a comprehensive audit, the NDC should provide partial evidence," he said.

Prof. Agyeman-Duah recommended legislating forensic audits at specific points during the electoral process to prevent future disputes over the issue.

"Making it a legislative requirement would prevent parties from disputing the register's credibility," he stated.

He also advocated continuous voter registration, leveraging technology to eliminate duplication and deceased individuals' names.

"With the Ghana Card, we can implement continuous registration, eliminating the need for periodic registration and reducing conflicts," he further stated.

Prof. Agyeman-Duah commended the NDC for exercising its democratic right to protest peacefully over concerns with the voters register.

He stressed that "the NDC has raised legitimate concerns, and it's essential that the Electoral Commission (EC) takes note and address them", adding that "if the NDC has evidence of discrepancies, it should present it to the EC".

Dr Akwetey of IDEG said dialogue should be foremost in trying to resolve the issue of the voter register between the NDC and the EC.

He said there was the need for a credible register, and that all should endeavour to cooperate with the EC, and where doubts remained and aggravating, it was important that if an audit would prove to everybody that that was genuine and clean, “that is important”.

That, he said, would help prevent potential violence because suspicion could create a lot of harm.

Dr Akwetey, however, said the call for an audit was in the hands of the EC, and that everyone should add their voices to encourage it.

“It’s a tough job,” he said, referring to the EC, but added that “they should also see what they can do to mitigate the suspicion”.

He, however, charged all the parties and stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that the register was acceptable to all.

The demonstration by the NDC, Dr Akwetey said, was one of the most efficient Ghanaians had seen in recent political history, and described it as peaceful.

But for the incident in Kumasi, where the police and the protesters were locked in a stand-off at the concluding part of the exercise, he said there was no violence and destruction.

“I think the police ought to be commended as well,” Dr Akwetey said.

Audit

Dr Darkwa said it was important for the NDC to request for a forensic audit of the voters register, stressing that it was their right guaranteed under the Constitution.

Their concerns about the fairness and honesty of the electoral process, he said, were valid, and that a forensic audit would ensure the reliability of the register.

That demand, he said, reflected their commitment to uphold accountability and fairness in the electoral system, adding that this was crucial for maintaining trust in democracy.

“The EC has declined the NDC's request for a forensic audit, but has pledged to maintain openness and inclusivity. This indicates the EC's attempt to strike a balance, possibly to uphold its authority and independence while acknowledging the NDC's concerns,” the academic said.

The refusal to be audited, he said, might be interpreted as a lack of consideration for the NDC's worries, placing pressure on the EC to demonstrate its transparency through alternative means.

Legitimate call

Mr Okine, on the other hand, said he did not think it would hurt the EC to do the forensic audit as requested by the NDC.

In any case, he said, it was the party’s legitimate right, as a key stakeholder in the forthcoming December elections.

“Besides, the EC is mandated to ensure that all stakeholders are satisfied with the accuracy of the voters register ahead of the elections. If the EC has admitted to the infractions and discrepancies in the register, it is only fair that the complaints of the NDC are addressed timeously, and the process must be transparent in a manner that would not undermine the credibility of the register,” he said.

Both the EC and the NDC, he said, must be partakers in the external audit, whether forensic or not.

“I also think the (governing) NPP (New Patriotic Party) and the other political parties must be drawn to the table to ensure that the outcome of the audit process is based on a general consensus.

This will instil trust and confidence in voters, and provide the assurance that they will not be disenfranchised on December 7, 2024. “A credible voters register is a necessity in reflecting and determining the true and accurate results of any elections.

If it is doable, it must be done now. Time is not on any one’s side,” Mr Okine said.

Political Science lecturer at the University of Education, Winneba, Gilbert Arhinful Aidoo, said the “demand is not just about the current register; it reflects broader calls for reforms in Ghana’s electoral management systems and processes”.

“The EC’s response is pivotal. If they embrace the audit, it could enhance their credibility and demonstrate a commitment to transparency.

“Conversely, refusal to conduct an audit may exacerbate tensions between the commission and political parties, potentially leading to allegations of bias and unfairness.

Moreover, this situation highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration in maintaining electoral integrity,” he said.