The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana will meet all political parties, civil society organisations (CSOs), and donor partners on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, under the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) framework.
The meeting aims to address concerns over the 2024 voters register, following repeated calls from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), for a forensic audit of the Provisional Voters Register (PVR).
Deputy EC Chairperson Dr Bossman Asare, during the Newsfile panel discussion on Saturday, confirmed that the meeting will focus entirely on the 2024 voters register.
“We’re holding a one-item agenda meeting under IPAC on Tuesday. Parties, CSOs, and donor partners who attend IPAC meetings will be present to discuss the state of the 2024 voter register. This meeting aims to ensure transparency and address concerns regarding the exhibition process and recent updates,” Dr Asare said.
The EC says it has addressed key issues raised about the voter register, but the NDC, represented by the South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor questioned the EC’s internal processes and insists that only a forensic audit can resolve alleged discrepancies which he argues could impact the credibility of the upcoming December elections.
However, Dr Asare clarified that the EC is not considering a third-party forensic audit. “The audit process is already outlined in the law, and we are following it. After we finish the process, if there are genuine concerns, we can address them. But at this point, the EC does not see the need for an external audit. Tuesday’s meeting will be an opportunity for parties to ask questions and review the register in detail,” he stated.
The EC hopes the IPAC meeting will provide a platform for political parties to express their concerns while also showcasing the measures the Commission has taken to ensure the integrity of the register.“
The register is a living document, and we’re working with all stakeholders to ensure it is accurate and credible for the upcoming election,” Dr Asare added.
While the NDC continues to push for a forensic audit, other stakeholders, including the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), believe the current legal framework under CI 91 provides sufficient checks to address any issues.
