Ghana's upcoming election is a critical moment for the country's democratic process. The Electoral Commission (EC) has been accused of arrogance and incompetence, raising concerns about the credibility of the upcoming elections. Despite calls for a forensic audit of the voters' register, the EC has refused, claiming all discrepancies have been addressed.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised critical issues, such as missing names, misplaced qualified voters, unremoved disqualified voters, unauthorized transfers, and polling station mismatches. These issues point to a flawed electoral process that threatens the foundation of Ghana's democracy.

Citizens and well-meaning Ghanaians must demand answers and hold public institutions accountable for their actions.

The EC's unwillingness to enable a forensic audit of its systems, including the register, demonstrates its hubris and lack of transparency. The EC should be pleased that a stakeholder has raised these key issues.

What is the Electoral Commission hiding? Why is it so reluctant to conduct an impartial probe of its handling of the voter register? If the EC continues on this tangent, the explanation is simple: it has something to hide and will go to any length to conceal its incompetence.

The ECs posture on NDC's concerns and refusal to cooperate in addressing them is worrying. The Deputy EC Commissioner, Samuel Tettey, claims the NDC has not provided the necessary evidence, despite the party's clear documentation and presentation to the EC.

This arrogance and defensive stance erodes public trust in the electoral management body. The EC's track record has been marred by controversies, such as the missing Biometric Voter Registration laptops under CCTV surveillance.

The current issues surrounding the voters' register paint a disturbing picture of an institution unfit to conduct free, fair, and credible elections. A forensic audit or thorough parliamentary investigation into the EC's handling of the voters' register is necessary to restore confidence in the electoral process.

The EC's dismissive attitude towards these concerns is not only disrespectful to the party but also to the Ghanaian electorate as a whole. The Commission's claim that "the onus is on the NDC to let us see the evidence of the challenges they have" is a blatant abdication of its responsibility as the custodian of the electoral process.

The party also said they don’t trust an entity that caused a mess to be able to do a proper correction. As a result they made a very laudable suggestions. That in the opinion of a reasonable bystander should be taken seriously.

Honestly, the EC has nothing to lose but rather gain confidence. A typical issue is the complaint on Pusiga which the EC admitted.

It's hypocritical for a political party to remain silent or fail to criticise the Electoral Commission (EC) when they're in power, only to speak out when they're in opposition. However, it's even more egregious for the EC to make flippant comments, such as referencing 'plants and animals' on a past voter roll, in response to legitimate concerns.

The EC's statement is not only irresponsible but also undermines their credibility and neutrality, and it must be widely condemned.

The EC should recognise that it is a public institution answerable to the people of Ghana. The arrogance and incompetence displayed by its officials, such as the Deputy Commissioner's claim that the party who tries to seek accountability is "the problem of Ghana," is a clear indication of a deeply entrenched culture of disregard for the public's trust.

The million dollar question is: “Why shouldn’t the Electoral Commission of Ghana open up if there is nothing to conceal?”

Ghana's hard-won democratic credentials are at stake, and the EC must be held accountable. The EC should stop these complacency and excuses and do the needful. The Ghanaian people deserve an electoral commission that is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and fairness. Anything less is a betrayal of the democratic ideals that our nation has fought so hard to uphold.