Alan Kyerematen, an Independent Presidential Candidate and leader of the Movement for Change (M4C) and the Alliance for Revolutionary Change (ARC), has expressed concerns over the credibility of Ghana’s voter register ahead of the 2024 general elections.
His remarks come amid widespread allegations, including from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), that the register contains compromised data.
Despite the Electoral Commission (EC) acknowledging the issues and working internally to resolve them, the process has faced heightened public criticism.
In response, Kyerematen has proposed a set of measures aimed at ensuring the integrity of the voter register and restoring public trust in the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 25, Kyerematen called for the creation of a technical working group to conduct a thorough audit of the voter register.
This audit, which he described as similar to a “forensic audit” being demanded by sections of the public, would involve cross-checking key documents such as the final voter register from the 2020 elections, limited registration data since 2021, voter transfers, and special voter lists.
Kyerematen emphasised the need for transparency, stating that members of the working group should have access to original copies of these documents to verify their authenticity.
Additionally, he urged political candidates or their representatives who have evidence of compromised data to submit it to the group for review before the audit begins.
“The proposed forensic audit will help ensure a voter register that is trusted by all parties and the public ahead of the 2024 elections. It is critical that this process is transparent and thorough to avoid any controversies,” Kyerematen said in his statement.
He proposed that the audit be conducted between September 30 and October 11, 2024, allowing the Electoral Commission enough time to release a final voter register by October 14.
This, according to Kyerematen, would ensure the elections proceed smoothly while addressing concerns over the register’s credibility.
The Movement for Change has also called on the Electoral Commission to respond to this proposal by Friday, September 27, stressing that a collaborative and transparent approach is necessary to restore confidence in the electoral process.
Kyerematen’s concerns reflect growing anxiety among political stakeholders over the integrity of the 2024 voter register. As the country gears up for a crucial election, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the register has become a key issue, with many calling for more stringent oversight.
His proposed audit, if adopted, could set a new standard for transparency and fairness in Ghana’s electoral process, offering a solution to the ongoing debate over the integrity of the voter register.