Electoral Commission Must Name Independent It Firm Contracted To Probe Npp’s Evidence On Bloated Voters’ Register

Coalition for Free, Fair and Transparent Elections, COFFTRE has learnt at yesterday’s IPAC meeting that, the EC has contracted independent IT experts to help review the country’s electoral voters register.

COFFTRE is of the view that, the move by EC is commendable, however, issues of the voters register which has necessitated the need to engage independent IT experts need to be made open to the public to restore and deepen public confidence in the EC.

It must be noted that, issues raised in the current voters’ register has some elements of criminality, and the credibility of the EC to conduct a free and fair election in 2016 is very crucial.

It is also mind boggling to comprehend the quick action by the EC to engage IT experts to commence investigation into the supposed bloated electoral register, immediately it received proposals from the political parties without properly scrutinizing the proposals.

The announcement by EC to engage IT experts indicate that the EC itself acknowledges that there is a problem with the register. COFFTRE is however demanding answers from the EC Boss, Mrs. Charlotte Osei, on the following questions;

1. Which IT company is hired to review the register?
2. How was the company hired?
3. Did Mrs. Charlotte Osei consult with IPAC?
4. How does such review address the heavily compromised nature of the register?
5. What is the terms of reference given to these IT experts?

There are more questions than answers. The EC cannot continue to feel it is independent from public accountability and transparency. COFFTRE is of the view that the public forum slated for next month to discuss all the proposals submitted by the political parties is an unworkable agenda and an attempt to play delay tactics by the EC Boss. As Election Watchers, we want the EC to build public confidence and accept views and suggestions from other stakeholders and avoid becoming an opaque institution.

Signed
Kenneth Agyei Kuranchie –National President (0544397309)

Kwabena Paintsil – National Secretary (0207347137)

Abdul Malik Mustapha Bagya – National Convenor (0264814502)

Mohammed Mumuni- National Organizer (0244144108)
Michael Kwaku Ohene- Deputy Secretary (0261676225)