Election 2024: “You don’t need scientists, mathematicians to do basic honest additions” — Franklin Cudjoe to EC

Franklin Cudjoe, the Founding President of IMANI Africa has voiced concerns regarding the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to hire highly specialized personnel for the election’s vote-counting process.

The election management body recently announced that it has recruited over 280,000 professionals to assist in the upcoming election, a workforce made up of specialists in mathematics, actuarial science and statistics.

According to the EC, these recruits will help in vote collation and quantitative methods, supporting returning officers at the constituency level.

However, the IMANI boss asserted that ensuring accurate and fair election results does not require “scientists and mathematicians” but rather transparency and honesty in the tallying of votes across constituencies.

In a Facebook post on Friday, November 8, Mr. Cudjoe questioned the EC’s decision and raised issues about transparency and cost.

“Simple maths and honest dealings with all constituencies is all we need,” he remarked. “You don’t need actuarial scientists and mathematicians to do basic honest additions.”

“By the way,” he added. “How were these ‘wonderful minds’ procured? How much will they be paid?”