Electoral Commission Appeals for Dialogue Amid NDC’s Claims of Voter Register Discrepancies

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has called on former President John Dramani Mahama to persuade the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to engage in discussions to resolve alleged discrepancies in the provisional voters register ahead of the 2024 general elections.

During a press conference held in Accra on Thursday, September 12, 2024, the EC’s Deputy Chairman of Operations, Mr. Samuel Tettey, appealed to Mr. Mahama, describing him as an eminent statesman who could encourage the NDC to bring its concerns to the discussion table rather than resorting to public protests.

“The Electoral Commission believes that the best way to ascertain the credibility and integrity of the 2024 Voters Register is the discussion table, not on the streets. Taking to the streets will not ensure a credible register. It will only cause tensions and suspicions which are unwarranted. We call on the former President, His Excellency John Mahama, to encourage and bring his party to the table as that is the best place to address issues and ascertain the truth regarding the Voters Register,” Mr. Tettey said.

The EC’s call comes after the NDC claimed it had discovered several discrepancies in the voters register during the Exhibition Exercise but had yet to provide the EC with the necessary evidence to substantiate its claims. The NDC, following a meeting with the EC on September 6, 2024, had promised to share details of these discrepancies but had not done so despite multiple requests from the Commission.

Mr. Tettey emphasized that the EC remains open to dialogue and assured the NDC of transparency in resolving any issues they might raise. He expressed disappointment that despite numerous requests, the NDC had not yet provided details of the alleged discrepancies or the 50,000 “ghost names” the party claimed were on the register.

“The Commission once again requested the details of the 50,000 dead persons and assured the NDC that it would work with the District Assembly and Birth and Death Registry to expunge the names from the Register. As with the data on the discrepancies identified by the NDC, we are yet to receive the list of the dead,” Mr. Tettey added.

The EC rejected the NDC’s allegations that 50,000 ghost names had been deliberately added to the voters register, stating that the presence of dead persons on the list was a known issue that could be addressed during the Exhibition Exercise when relatives of deceased individuals could initiate the process of removing their names.

The NDC has announced plans to hold a nationwide demonstration on September 17, accusing the EC of refusing their request for a forensic audit of the register. However, the EC maintained that it was committed to providing a credible and robust register for the 2024 elections.

“The Commission is fully committed to providing the country and all Political Parties with a robust and credible Voters Register that will guarantee free, fair, transparent, and credible General Election in December 2024,” Mr. Tettey assured the public.

Electoral Commission Appeals for Dialogue Amid NDC’s Claims of Voter Register Discrepancies