2016 Voters’ Register contained animals and plants but you didn’t complain – Deputy EC Commissioner tells NDC

The Electoral Commission has responded to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), over calls for an independent forensic audit into the 2024 voters register.

The Commission said perhaps, this is the first time the NDC has taken interest in the voters’ register because the 2016 register contained plants and animals, yet the party did not raise issues with that roll.

Addressing the media in Accra on Thursday, August 12, a Deputy Commissioner of the Electoral Commission, Samuel Tetteh said “Perhaps this is the first time the NDC has taken interest in the register. Otherwise, one would have expected them to call for such an audit of the 2016 register, which contained photos of plants and animals representing voters.”

He denied claims that there is precedent that the voters register was independently audited in the past. “It is important to note that, contrary to what is being alluded, since 1992, the voters register has never been audited.” Mr. Tetteh told the press.

Mr Tettey rejected calls for a forensic audit of the Provisional Voters Register. The Commission maintains that the recently held Voters’Register Exhibition Exercise is an effective and sufficient measure for identifying and correcting any discrepancies.

 

The NDC, in a meeting held on September 6, 2024, highlighted five specific issues with the Provisional Voters Register, urging the Commission to undertake a forensic audit to address their concerns. They also requested a re-exhibition of the Register. However, the Electoral Commission has countered these demands by emphasizing that the current processes are adequate and well-established.

 

According to the Commission, the Exhibition Exercise is designed to uncover and rectify errors in the Register. They argue that this process, which has been in place since 1992, is robust and aligns with legal requirements outlined in the Constitutional Instrument on the Registration of Voters (C.I. 91 as amended by C.I. 126). The Commission has assured that discrepancies flagged during the Exhibition are being addressed promptly and thoroughly.

 

The Deputy Commissioner in charge of operations, Mr. Sammuel Tettey added, “The Voter Register Exhibition Exercise itself serves as an audit, allowing for the correction of discrepancies identified through our established procedures.”

 

The NDC’s proposal for a forensic audit, according to the Commission, would not provide additional value given that their current methods are already effective. The Commission urges the NDC to collaborate and submit detailed information about identified discrepancies to facilitate a proper review and resolution.

 

“The process we have in place is tried and tested,” Mr Tettey said. “Our focus is on resolving issues through established channels rather than introducing unnecessary external audits.”

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