Sammy Gyamfi Accuses NPP of Benefiting from Voter Registration Issues, Calls for Forensic Audit

Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed concern over the ongoing issues surrounding Ghana’s voter registration process, suggesting that the current situation is engineered to benefit the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). He asserted that the NPP is complicit in the alleged irregularities and illegal transfers of votes, which he claimed are being carried out in collaboration with the Electoral Commission (EC).

Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story on Thursday, September 19, 2024, Gyamfi highlighted his suspicions regarding the NPP’s motives, particularly the party’s opposition to the NDC‘s call for a forensic audit of the voters’ register ahead of the upcoming 2024 elections. He argued that the NPP’s reluctance to support such an audit indicates their involvement in the alleged manipulation of the electoral process.

“What do you expect from the beneficiaries of the manipulations of the voter’s register? What is going on clearly stands to benefit the ruling NPP,” Gyamfi stated, underscoring his view that the NPP has a vested interest in the current state of affairs.

Allegations of Illegal Voter Transfers

Gyamfi went on to accuse the Electoral Commission of engaging in illegal voter transfers, alleging that these manipulations have led to the discrepancies in the voter registration process. According to him, the NPP has turned a blind eye to these issues because they stand to gain from them.

“They [NPP] are collaborators with the Electoral Commission, who has illegally engaged in voter transfers that they were not supposed to do and have manipulated the voter’s register leading to the mess. Without complaining about it, they [NPP] are obviously happy,” Gyamfi said, echoing concerns shared by some members of the NDC that the integrity of the voter registration process has been compromised.

He further claimed that the NPP’s response to the situation is part of a broader strategy to shield the Electoral Commission from scrutiny, with the aim of deflecting attention away from the alleged manipulation of the register.

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

NPP’s Rejection of Forensic Audit Request

The debate over the voter registration process intensified earlier in the week when the NDC called for a forensic audit of the voters’ register to address what they described as irregularities. This request, however, was swiftly rejected by the NPP during a press conference held by the party’s General Secretary, Justin Frimpong Kodua.

Frimpong Kodua dismissed the NDC’s demand as “hypocritical and mischievous,” suggesting that the opposition party was using the audit request to create unnecessary tension ahead of the 2024 general elections. He argued that the NDC’s call for an audit was motivated by their fear of electoral defeat rather than a genuine concern for the transparency of the electoral process.

According to Frimpong Kodua, there is no need for a forensic audit, as the electoral process has been conducted fairly. He further accused the NDC of attempting to undermine the credibility of the EC and incite distrust among the public as part of a pre-election tactic.

Gyamfi’s Response to NPP’s Press Conference

In his remarks on Top Story, Gyamfi rebuffed the NPP’s accusations, stressing that the call for a forensic audit is not about political gamesmanship but about ensuring fairness and transparency in the electoral process. He suggested that the NPP’s stance against the audit is part of a deliberate effort to avoid accountability for the alleged manipulation of the voters’ register.

Gyamfi urged the media to remain vigilant and not allow the NPP to downplay the gravity of the situation. He called on journalists and civil society organizations to push for an independent audit to restore public confidence in the electoral process. According to him, an audit would expose any discrepancies and ensure that the upcoming elections are conducted on a level playing field.

“We are asking for an independent forensic audit because we believe that is the only way we can have a credible register,” Gyamfi insisted, adding that without such a step, the integrity of the 2024 elections would remain in question.

Conclusion

As the debate over the voter registration process heats up, the clash between the NDC and NPP underscores the tension ahead of the 2024 general elections. With both parties accusing each other of undermining the electoral process, the demand for a forensic audit has become a key issue in the political discourse.

While the NPP continues to dismiss the need for an audit, the NDC insists that transparency is essential for maintaining the credibility of the elections. Whether or not an independent audit will be conducted remains to be seen, but the growing concerns over the voter registration process are likely to shape the political landscape in the lead-up to the elections.

In the meantime, both parties continue to engage in a war of words, each presenting their version of events in an attempt to sway public opinion. As the situation evolves, it will be crucial to monitor how these concerns are addressed and whether the necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the 2024 elections are free, fair, and transparent.