IN A STATEMENT issued in Accra by the NDC National Headquarters, Adabraka, has indicated that the forensic audit of the voter’s register is extremely important for a credible elections and democracy sustainability.
President Akufo-Addo has wickedly appointed communicators of his party, NPP to mand the IT Department of the Electoral Commission (EC), and consultants for the Institution.
Dr. Peter Appiahene and others as consultants to the IT Department and Board members of the institution with the concernt of EC Boss; for the formerly independent EC.
This and other clandestine moves by the Commission forms part of the reasons the main opposition NDC wants a forensic audit of the voters register and the IT system for a peaceful and credible general elections 2024.
The ruling NPP and the EC aren’t happy at all with the call for the forensic audit of the voter register, and they are insisting that it’s not necessary.
Below Is The Full Release of the Communique In Accra By The NDC party.
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED ON THE NEED FOR A FORENSIC AUDIT OF THE
2024 PROVISIONAL VOTERS REGISTER AND IT SYSTEM
Following a comprehensive engagement between the National Democratic Congress
(NDC) and key Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) regarding the anomalies identified in
the 2024 Provisional Voters Register (PVR) and its IT system, this communiqué is issued
to express our concerns and propose urgent measures to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s
electoral process.
Background:
During the review of the 2024 Provisional Voters Register, serious irregularities were
uncovered, including unauthorized voter transfers, missing data, and deleted voter entries.
These issues raise significant concerns about the credibility of the upcoming 2024 General
Elections and could potentially disenfranchise large numbers of voters.
In the spirit of protecting Ghana’s democratic processes and ensuring that every eligible voter is given the opportunity to participate in a free and fair election, the NDC, CSOs,
Labour Unions, Faith Based Organizations and other identifiable groups after deliberations
at the event held on Monday 23rd September, 2024 at Mikado Conference Center – Accra,
issue this communiqué calling for immediate action.
Resolutions:
1. Forensic Audit of the Voters Register and IT System:
We call for an immediate independent forensic audit of the 2024 Provisional Voters Register and the IT systems used for voter registration, data transfers, and backend processes.
2. Formation of a Joint Task Force:
A joint task force comprising representatives from the Electoral Commission (EC),
political parties, CSOs, and independent technical experts must be established to oversee
the forensic audit process.
This task force will ensure that the audit is conducted in a transparent and accountable manner, free from any form of interference or manipulation.
3. Public Disclosure of Audit Findings:
Upon completion, the results of the forensic audit must be made available to the public without delay.
The transparency of this process is vital to restoring public confidence in
the electoral process. The EC must take immediate corrective action based on the findings, including restoring deleted entries, correcting unauthorized transfers, and addressing any other irregularities.
4. Re-exhibition of the Voters Register:
• Following the forensic audit, we recommend that the EC re-exhibit the
Voters Register for at least five (5) days to enable all registered voters to verify their details and ensure their information is accurate.
• This re-exhibition process should be accompanied by a robust public
awareness campaign to maximize participation.
5. Correction of All Anomalies:
• We demand that the EC take swift action to correct all identified
discrepancies, including unauthorized transfers, missing data, and deleted voter entries, prior to the 2024 General Elections.
• Affected voters must be notified of the corrections to ensure they are not
disenfranchised.
6. Review of Electoral Timeline:
• In light of the time required for a thorough forensic audit and re-exhibition, we urge the EC to review the electoral timeline, if necessary, to accommodate these critical processes.
• Adjusting the timeline will ensure that all necessary corrections are made, contributing to the credibility and fairness of the 2024 elections.
7. Engagement of International Observers: We call on international electoral observers to closely monitor the forensic audit process and other pre-election activities to ensure impartiality and adherence to international electoral standards.
8. Institutionalizing Electoral Accountability: Moving forward, we recommend the institutionalization of regular audits and verifications
of the electoral roll and associated IT systems.
We also urge continuous dialogue between the EC, political parties, and CSOs to promote transparency and accountability in all electoral processes.
Conclusion:
This communiqué represents the collective resolve of the undersigned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Labour Unions, the Religious organizations and the NDC, to
ensure that the integrity of Ghana’s 2024 General Elections protected and preserved.
We believe that a forensic audit of the 2024 Provisional Voters Register and its IT system is critical to preventing voter disenfranchisement and restoring public trust in the electoral
process.
We urge the Electoral Commission to act on these resolutions in the interest of democracy and fairness. We remain committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure a transparent
and credible electoral process.
Dr. Peter Boamah Otokunor
Director of Interparty and Civil Society Relations For: General Secretary and on behalf of the Leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Other signatories attached:
Source: Nationaltymes.com
