2024 Election credibility at stake? A closer look at the EC's persistent mistakes

Ghana's electoral regime has witnessed several reforms since the country’s return to multiparty democracy in 1992. The country has evolved progressively from opaque ballot boxes to transparent ballot boxes, improved ID cards, and more recently, biometric verification. Moreover, the electoral processes have become more participatory and inclusive, with various stakeholders, particularly the political parties, involved at every step of the way, from voter registration to the declaration of the final results. These reforms have enhanced the efficiency and credibility of the electoral process, leading to improved public trust and participation in the electoral process.

However, persistent errors by the Electoral Commission (EC) in recent years have been a cause for concern for political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral space. While errors are unavoidable and not uncommon in Ghana’s electoral processes, the gravity of these errors by the EC in recent years raises serious concerns. For instance, during the 2020 elections, the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, initially declared an incorrect presidential result, leading to several subsequent press releases to correct the error. The gravity of the situation was compounded by the fact that some of the subsequent press releases to correct the initial error contained inaccuracies,  with the total percentage of valid votes exceeding 100% in some instances. This resulted in pockets of violent demonstrations across the country by members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC). The NDC rejected the results and proceeded to the Supreme Court, but the case was subsequently dismissed by the apex court as unmeritorious, and the EC Chair was unable to testify to provide explanations for the errors. As a result, to this day, the exact results of the 2020 presidential elections remain unclear to most people.

Given these circumstances and the increasing mistrust of the EC by opposition parties, one would have expected that the EC would develop a more robust system to minimize errors. However, it appears that these issues persist, with less than three months to the 2024 elections, a situation which can undermine the trust in the democratic process.

For instance, earlier this year, reports surfaced that seven Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) intended for the limited voter registration exercise were missing from the EC’s office. The EC later confirmed during an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting that some devices were indeed missing. However, the EC has allayed concerns by explaining that the BVDs are only used for voter verification and cannot compromise the integrity of the elections, fears remain, particularly among members of the NDC.

Another issue that attracted public attention was the errors in the daily registration numbers during the limited voter registration exercise. The NDC alleged discrepancies in the daily registration numbers released by the EC. The EC was forced on several occasions to correct data it had already published, a mistake that many criticized for being a fundamental error.

The EC attributed the errors to the use of Corel Draw in the compilation process but indicated that moving forward they will use Excel to ensure that those mistakes are not repeated. Many analysts have criticized the EC for getting the basics wrong.

The major issue attracting national attention is the problem with recent voter transfers. The NDC has alleged several instances of illegal voter transfers across the country, carried out without the consent of those voters. The Electoral Commission confirmed some of these allegations and suspended officials involved, particularly in the Pusiga District. The NDC argues that an audit of the voter register is necessary to address these anomalies. However, the EC insists that there is no need for an audit, as the issues raised by the NDC have already been corrected.

The NDC held a nationwide demonstration 3months to the elections, to press for an audit of the voter register. They warned that if left unresolved, these issues could compromise the integrity of the upcoming elections.

 In conclusion, the recent missteps by the Electoral Commission (EC) raise legitimate concerns among key stakeholders in Ghana's electoral process, including political parties, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and citizens. The lingering distrust, particularly from the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has been exacerbated by the appointment of individuals perceived to be aligned with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) by President Nana Akufo-Addo. This deep-seated skepticism threatens the integrity of the EC's work, particularly as the nation approaches critical elections.

 To bolster public trust and ensure the credibility of the electoral process, the EC must prioritize consensus-building measures. It should engage in transparent, inclusive dialogue with all political parties and relevant stakeholders. Regular consultations, independent oversight, and bipartisan committees could help create a neutral ground, fostering trust and cooperation. Moreover, the EC must leverage cutting-edge technology to ensure accuracy, transparency, and accountability in the election process. Implementing robust mechanisms such as real-time digital voter verification and transparent result transmission systems will reduce human error and build confidence in the election outcome.

By actively addressing these concerns and fostering collaboration among all stakeholders, the EC can enhance its credibility, protect the nation’s democratic values, and help maintain peace and security as Ghana prepares for the upcoming elections.

Key Solutions for Building Trust:

• Inclusive dialogue: Regular consultations with political parties, CSOs, and other stakeholders to build consensus on key electoral processes.
• Bipartisan oversight: Formation of independent, bipartisan committees to monitor and oversee key operations of the EC.
• Transparency: Open communication about the electoral process, decision-making, and any technological innovations being implemented.
• Advanced technology: Implement error-proof digital solutions for voter verification, result transmission, and data integrity.
•  Capacity building: Train EC staff and engage in public education campaigns to ensure a widespread understanding of the processes.
• This multi-pronged approach will not only restore trust but also ensure the electoral process is perceived as fair and legitimate.