Election 2024: CFI proposes independent audit of voters register
The Civic Forum Initiative (CFI), consisting of key Civil society organisations, including the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), has proposed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to commit to an independent audit of the final voters’ register for the 2024 general election once it is completed and in good time.
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This, according to the group, would help to reinforce public confidence in the electoral process.
The CFI also called on the EC to act expeditiously and transparently in finalising the register and stressed that "the integrity of the voters' register is crucial to protecting the democratic rights of every Ghanaian citizen."
Dialogue
The group, in a statement issued last Monday and jointly signed by the Chairperson of the CFI, Dr Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, and the Executive Director, IDEG, Dr Emmanuel Akwetey, ahead of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) nationwide demonstration, urged the party and the EC to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve their differences over the voters' register.
“As we approach a pivotal moment in our nation’s democratic process, we believe it is crucial for all stakeholders to act in the best interest of peace, stability and electoral integrity.
This statement serves as a call for calm, dialogue and a commitment to a transparent resolution that reinforces the strength of our democracy,” the group said.
Context
The NDC’s protest follows concerns raised by the party about errors and discrepancies in the voters' register for the 2024 general election and demanded for a forensic audit.
However, the EC maintains that the ongoing finalisation of the voters’ register must be completed before any audit can take place.
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Resolution
“As civil society, we remain committed to supporting peaceful and credible election processes and outcomes. We stand ready to assist in any way possible to ensure that the ninth consecutive presidential and parliamentary elections would strengthen Ghana as the beacon of multiparty democracy in West Africa,” the group said.
“As the Civic Forum Initiative, we believe the impasse between the NDC and the EC can be resolved without confrontation. Instead, it requires sincere and constructive dialogue between all stakeholders involved.”
“We urge all stakeholders to prioritise the national interest and to work towards peaceful and credible elections in the forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections,” it said.