Electoral Commission's Arrogance: A Betrayal of Ghana's Democracy

The Electoral Commission’s response to the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s petition is a masterclass in obfuscation and arrogance, steeped in the dangerous assumption that the people of Ghana will take their word at face value, rather than demand transparency and accountability in a matter as crucial as the Voters Register for the upcoming 2024 General Elections. It is not only insulting to the intelligence of the NDC and Ghanaians as a whole but exposes a disturbing willingness to dismiss legitimate concerns with a wave of bureaucratic jargon.

First, the Commission’s attempt to minimize the significance of the discrepancies unearthed in the Provisional Voters Register (PVR) is both reckless and deliberate. They repeatedly emphasize that the PVR is "not the Final Register" as if that simple distinction erases the gravity of the issues at hand. But this is not a mere draft riddled with minor errors that can be swept under the carpet. The NDC has flagged substantial discrepancies that go beyond the everyday administrative mistakes the Commission attempts to normalize. The NDC’s call for a forensic audit is not only justified but essential, for without it, Ghanaians are left to rely on the assurances of a body whose leadership has been appointed through overt political bias.

In this climate of heightened political tension, to dismiss calls for a forensic audit of the PVR is tantamount to condoning the manipulation of the electoral process. Article 45(a) of the 1992 Constitution charges the Electoral Commission with compiling a credible and transparent Voters Register. Yet, how can we trust a process when those who raise genuine concerns are met with dismissal and derision? The call for a forensic audit is not just a demand for a recount or revision; it is a demand for the truth. An audit will shine light on the full extent of the irregularities, revealing the deliberate infractions that the Commission is so eager to downplay.

Moreover, the suggestion of an "online exhibition" of the Register reveals either the Commission's ignorance or outright disdain for the realities on the ground. Ghana remains a country where a significant portion of the population lacks reliable access to the internet. The notion that voters, particularly in rural areas, should verify their registration details online is as absurd as it is insensitive. This is a deliberate ploy to disenfranchise the most vulnerable sections of society — those who do not have the luxury of internet access but whose votes are critical in deciding the future of this nation. It is an insult to democracy, thinly veiled as technological advancement.

The Commission’s defence of voter transfers is equally dubious. The inclusion of data from previous years—2020, 2023, and 2024—without the consent or participation of the voters is nothing short of a breach of trust. They admit that unauthorized transfers occurred in Pusiga, yet expect Ghanaians to believe that such actions were isolated incidents, easily reversed and forgotten. If one unauthorized transfer can happen, what guarantees are there that hundreds or even thousands have not been affected? This is not just an administrative hiccup; it reeks of an orchestrated effort to skew the voter base in favour of particular political interests.

The refusal of the Electoral Commission to engage in an honest, transparent process by agreeing to a forensic audit is a gross betrayal of its constitutional mandate. Regulations 23 and 24 of C.I. 91 may allow for the exhibition and correction of the Provisional Register, but they are by no means sufficient to address the depth of the issues raised by the NDC. To suggest otherwise is a blatant misrepresentation of the law and a manipulation of the truth. The very mechanisms meant to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process are being weaponized to suppress dissent and pave the way for electoral fraud.

It is crucial that the international community, civil society organizations, and all the stakeholders copied in the Commission’s response—Parliament, the Christian Council, the National Peace Council, and others—take an active role in insisting that the Electoral Commission heed the call for a forensic audit. Failing to do so will only invite chaos come the December 2024 elections. Ghana’s democracy is teetering on the edge of a precipice, and it is the responsibility of every concerned citizen and institution to demand that the Electoral Commission fulfil its duty in a manner that is transparent, accountable, and beyond reproach.

This is not just about the NDC. This is about the soul of our democracy, and the Electoral Commission’s actions are a clear and present danger to the very fabric of our electoral process. We must resist any attempt to reduce these valid concerns to mere partisan bickering. At stake is the future of Ghana, and we cannot afford to entrust it to a Commission that is unwilling to be transparent, unwilling to subject itself to scrutiny, and all too willing to manipulate the law to suit its own ends.

The NDC’s demands must be met. Anything less is a mockery of democracy.

By Nsiaba Nana Akwasi Kobi.

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