The respect and accolades Ghana has won in the eyes of the world as the Model of Democracy and Good Governance in Africa is being threatened by the conduct of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana.
EC’s handling of a simple exercise such as the compilation of a voter’s register imposes the conclusion that the Electoral Commission is on the path to executed an agenda.
This cast doubt on the ability of the Electoral Commission to be fair and transparent.
It requires of the EC to follow a systematic procedure to arrive at producing a credible voter’s register that will be acceptable to all, however, this register has failed all the test required to make it credible.
For instance, the current provisional register has failed to pass the test of deduplication and verification process.
ID numbers, pins and codes have been duplicated. Also, political parties were not given the provisional register use for the exhibition exercise, neither did the EC publish on its website the provisional register as the law requires.
The decision to disregard some of the lay down procedures and appropriate processes in the compilation of a voter’s register undermines the credibility of the new voter’s register.
This is not only an affront but an insult to the intelligence of all Ghanaians.
The just ended exhibition exercise uncovered unpardonable anomalies that looks rather deliberate than genuine mistake.
For instance, the number of names omitted from the register and the number of duplicated photos and ID numbers of innocent voters is shocking.
The EC’s decision to disregard a court ruling to allow a seating Member of parliament register but give others the opportunity to register after a mass registration and exhibition exercise breeds suspicion.
Additionally, the disparity between the total number of registrants after the registration and total number of registrants after exhibition among others is beyond reasoning.
These errors in our view, looks deliberate and calculated aimed at disenfranchising some innocent eligible Ghanaian voters in some specific areas to reduce votes in opposition strongholds.
Also, The inconsistencies and deliberate distortions in the communications of the EC is very consistent.
At one breathe, the EC has retrieved all the data of valid applicants and updated on the central server. In another breathe the EC continue to retrieve these data.
The challenge is that, the EC has given a doubtful impression of itself therefore majority of Ghanaians are unable to accept promises and assurances based on a dubious premise from the Electoral Commission.
We therefore call on the EC to fix the problem and reopen the exhibition exercise for not less than five days for applicants to be sure that their names are in the register and therefore can participate in the 2020 general elections.
Sign
David Kumi Addo
Executive Secretary “CARE” GHANA
