Forensic Audit imperative: Only 46% of Jean-Bossman’s Voter Register is Accurate. A looming Electoral Crises Possible

As Ghana teeters on the precipice of another election cycle, the integrity of the Jean-Bossman voter’s register has emerged as a festering wound, threatening to undermine the very fabric of the country’s democracy.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority in Parliament has sounded the alarm, decrying the register’s riddled inconsistencies and flaws, which the Electoral Commission (EC) has begrudgingly acknowledged. The writing is on the wall – a forensic audit of the voter register is not only necessary but imperative.

The current register is a veritable Pandora’s box, replete with demographic discrepancies, registration irregularities, and technical glitches. Age and gender inconsistencies, inaccurate population projections, and unaccounted migration and mortality rates all contribute to a toxic brew of inaccuracy. Duplicate registrations, unregistered eligible voters, and ineligible voters (including the underage and deceased) further erode the register’s credibility.

Inaccurate or missing personal details, incorrect or missing biometric data, and software or hardware malfunctions all take their toll, leaving the register vulnerable to manipulation.
The lack of transparency and accountability is a glaring indictment of the EC’s stewardship.

Insufficient public access to registration data, inadequate audit trails, and accountability mechanisms all conspire to obscure the truth. Inadequate voter education and limited civic engagement only serve to further shroud the registration process in mystery.The consequences of inaction are too dire to contemplate.

A flawed voter register has the potential to undermine the credibility of the electoral process, erode trust in democratic institutions, and potentially alter election outcomes. The very foundations of Ghana’s democracy are at stake.

The numbers paint a damning picture – a staggering 54% of the voters register is inaccurate, with only a paltry 46% of registered voters verified as genuine. This is a crisis of epic proportions, one that demands immediate attention and action.

In this crucible of uncertainty, a forensic audit of the voter register emerges as the only viable solution. It is the only way to excise the cancer of corruption, restore transparency, and ensure accountability. The EC must be compelled to conduct a comprehensive audit, addressing the identified errors and discrepancies, and implementing robust data verification processes.
Anything less would be a dereliction of duty.

Ghana stands at the crossroads, staring into the abyss of electoral chaos. The choice is clear; conduct a forensic audit of the voter register, or risk sacrificing the country’s democratic future on the altar of expediency. The time for forensic audit is now.

Ahmed M. Gedel
Former NDC Technical Advisor on Biometric and NDC Rep@ IPAC & UNDP-Ghana
Source:Ghanaweb.mobi