The Electoral Commission (EC) has once again dismissed calls from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for a forensic audit of the Provisional Voter’s Register (PVR).
In a letter addressed to NDC Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the EC asserted that the legal and administrative processes designed to clean the register have not been fully exhausted, rendering a forensic audit unjustified at this stage.
This response follows a petition submitted by the NDC after a demonstration held on September 17, highlighting the ongoing tensions between the commission and the opposition party regarding electoral integrity in Ghana.
The NDC’s demands reflect broader concerns about transparency and accountability in the electoral process as the country approaches its upcoming elections.
“As a Commission, we are of the view that the existing legal and administrative processes for cleaning the PVR have not been fully exhausted to justify the call for a forensic audit,” the EC stated.
The EC reiterated its commitment to delivering its mandate, urging the NDC and the public to trust the established processes for addressing any concerns with the register.
The EC further assured the NDC and the general public that it has addressed the majority of discrepancies identified in the Provisional Voter’s Register.
It added that this process, which was successfully executed during the 2020 general elections, will once again be repeated for the upcoming 2024 elections.
To foster collaboration and transparency, the EC has extended an invitation to the NDC to join in a discussion table.
This dialogue, the EC believes, will provide an opportunity for the NDC to see firsthand the steps taken to resolve the discrepancies.
The EC’s response also addressed issues about the illegal transfer of votes announcing that its District Officer at Pusiga in the Upper East Region has been sacked regarding the 38 illegal transfers which has since been rectified.
On the demand for a re-exhibition of the voter’s register, the Commission said due to limited time it cannot hold a physical exhibition exercise but will allow an online exhibition of the register until Election Day.
