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Why should you resist calls for forensic audit? – Alan quizzes EC
Founder of Moment for Change, Alan Kyerematen, has advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to address concerns identified by political parties ahead of the December elections.
According to him, the commission has the mandate to conduct free and fair elections and must ensure that all stakeholders trust the system. If concerns are raised about the process, he said the EC should work to clear any doubts in the minds of the people.
His comments were in response to whether the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) request for a forensic audit of the register.
Mr. Kyerematen stated that the NDC, being a major stakeholder, has pointed out certain discrepancies. Therefore, the EC has the responsibility to prove that it is committed to running a free and fair election.
Speaking on JoyNews’ News Desk on September 16, he said “For the sake of ensuring the integrity of the elections, to respond to the specific cases that have been identified about irregularities in the voters’ register.
“It only goes to enhance the credibility of the commission. Yes. It [ forensic audit] has to be. I am not sure why there should be a resistance to that. Because, yes the Electoral Commission has indicated that they have responded to those comments.
“But we have to put all reasonable doubt. There is a need to have a credible voters register. So if there is an indication that there is still doubt associated with the electoral register, then let us allow an extensive comprehensive audit, which can be done without any difficulty,” he said.
The presidential aspirants said this would help improve perception about the credibility of the EC.
Mr Kyerematen said although the EC has an incredible track record in Africa, there is a need to ensure that their reputation remains intact.
Additionally, he said the election management body has the responsibility to prove that the electoral register is clean and has no basis for complaints.
“It is only through an audit that this could happen.” he said.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
News
Bishop Salifu Amoako and wife arrested over their son’s accident
The Founder and General Overseer of Alive Chapel International, Bishop Elisha Salifu Amoako and her wife, Mouha Amoako have been arrested over the accident of their son which claimed two lives.
In a statement today, they revealed that “The Ghana Police Service has today 15th October 2024, arrested suspects, Bishop Elisha Salifu Amoako and Mouha Amoako, parents of the suspect driver involved in the fatal accident that claimed two lives at East Legon on Saturday, 12th October 2024.”
According to them, “Investigations have so far established that on 12th October 2024, suspect driver, Elrad Salifu Amoako, aged 16, driving a Jaguar SUV vehicle with registration number GN 7801- 20 with one other occupant, rammed into a 4×4 Acura vehicle also with registration number GR 2542 – 23, driven by Joseph Ackah with four other occupants, at Mensah Wood Street at East Legon. Both cars caught fire and burned beyond recognition.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read full statement below
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All discrepancies identified have been fixed- EC
According to the Electoral Commission (EC) they have fixed all discrepancies in the Voters Register identified during the Exhibition period.
The EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa made this revelation when addressing the issue during a live broadcast at the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at the Alisa Hotel in Accra.
She emphasized the Commission’s commitment to ensuring public confidence in the electoral process and delivering credible elections.
Jean Mensa assured voters that the necessary corrections have been made to guarantee an accurate voter register for the upcoming 2024 general elections.
According to her, “Over the last two weeks, we have spent our energies to clean the voter register and to ensure that the information presented is accurate. Simply put, we have worked to ensure that every applicant who registered in 2023/2024 is on the voter register.”
“We are confident that the revised Provisional Voter Register that we present starting today is a marked departure from the register we presented during the exhibition exercise,” she added.
“Largely, all discrepancies identified to date have been fixed, as we promised, during our last meeting starting today, October 15, to October 19, all registered voters will have a second opportunity to review their details online and report anything they find in our district offices,” Jean Mensa revealed.
Additionally, she promised to hand over hard drive copies of the voter register to the various political parties including a template to register any discrepancies.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
