With a little over three months to the December elections, demands for an independent audit of the voter register are beginning to gain momentum.

Smaller parties are joining forces with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to call for a forensic examination of the register.

The NDC's push for an audit follows recent revelations that some Electoral Commission (EC) officers have illegally transferred voters.

The EC is currently investigating these actions across its district offices.

In an interview on the AM Show on JoyNews, Dr Abu Sakara Foster, co-convener of the Alliance for Revolutionary Change, stressed the necessity of an independent audit to ensure electoral integrity. “When electoral commissioners themselves are implicated in infractions, it is inappropriate for the EC to conduct its own audit. This must be handled by a third party.

“We need to seize this opportunity to address potential issues. The current process of staffing and appointing the EC gives the executive undue influence, which could lead to a lack of trust. Independent oversight is crucial to address the concerns raised and rectify any errors before the election,” Dr Sakara stated.

Remy Edmundson, General Secretary of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP), echoed these concerns, asserting that the state of the current voter register could lead to significant problems on Election Day.

“This is not just a concern of the NDC but is being voiced by various groups across the country. If voters are being transferred without their knowledge, this could cause major confusion and disorder at polling stations. We need transparency from the EC to prevent such chaos and ensure a smooth electoral process.”

Mr Edmundson also emphasised the heightened tension surrounding this election, calling on the EC to be upfront about the issues. “We all have a stake in this process. We want to support the EC, but we need to ensure that any problems are addressed before Election Day. If the allegations are true, then we need to fix them before the election.”

Read also : 38 voter transfers were effected with EC official credential – Dr Bossman Asare