Audio By Carbonatix
Think tank, IMANI Africa has dismissed claims of a bloated voters' register in the Volta Region prior to 2020 as a complete fantasy.
Honorary Vice President, Bright Simons said that there is no evidence to suggest the old voters' register was infiltrated to even warrant a compilation of a new electoral roll.
Speaking on Newsfile Saturday, he said the increased voter numbers in the Volta Region corresponds with the increase in the national tally.
"The suggestion that somehow there is something suspicious going on in Volta is completely apocryphal and high fantasy. There is no evidence whatsoever that there is something peculiar about the situation in the Volta Region" he said.
According to him, the Volta Region (Oti Region inclusive) in the year 2000 had 983,000 registered voters on the electoral roll and over the period it has seen a 35 percent increase in that number.
Currently, the Volta and Oti Regions combined accounts for about 1.4 million voters on the new register.
The Vice President of IMANI Africa said: "If you compare that to Ashanti Region where in 2000, they had less than 2 million people, today they have almost 3 million which represents 50 percent increase."
The Electoral Commission (EC) said the old voter register compiled in 2012 was not credible.
Prior to the compilation of the new voters' register, NPP MP for Adansi Asokwa K. T. Hammond said the deployment of soldiers to the Ketu South of the Volta Region was purposely to prevent neighbouring Togolese from crossing over into Ghana to partake in the process.
In 2015, the Running Mate of Nana Akufo-Addo, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia alleged the NPP uncovered evidence that shows that close to 80,000 Togolese had registered as Ghanaians in the voters’ register, giving rise to the need for a new roll.
The opposition NDC debunked all these claims, however, the EC remained resolute and went ahead to compile a new electoral roll.
Bright Simons questioned the veracity of claims of Togolese nationals registering to vote in Ghana and wondered how much of an impact that can have on the national election.
"Do you know the logistical feet involved in bringing enough people from Togo to register to a point where it can impact a national election? In a register that we have 17 million people, you'll need to bring about a 100,000 people or thereabouts.
Do you know the number of vehicles you will need? Do you know the impact on border crossing and what it will mean for normal flow of goods and services?" Simons questioned.
He debunked all the claims of a bloated register, insisting the figures from the Volta Region is consistent with trend analysis of the electoral cycles in the past.
Latest Stories
-
Saminu clarifies remarks on Ghana 4x100m team preparation, calls for unity ahead of major competitions
2 minutes -
Heath Goldfields clears GH¢139 million in worker arrears as Bogoso-Prestea recovery begins
13 minutes -
Education Watch boss backs arrests over BECE malpractice
38 minutes -
Central Banks should not be evaluated solely on accounting losses – Dr. Nsafoah
45 minutes -
“I agree with one aspect of BoG’s argument”, but under its own accounting framework it’s policy insolvent – Dr. Nsafoah
1 hour -
Okyeame Kwame launches ‘Clap Challenge’ for teachers and students
1 hour -
UK-based social protection expert Andy Owusu to speak at IAF & TTAG–EGA Summit in Accra on May 8
1 hour -
Parliament set to reconvene on May 21
1 hour -
Sammi Awuku inaugurates constituency office and launches Youth Skills Programme in Akuapem North
1 hour -
OPD shutdown at Korle Bu leaves patients stranded, emergency unit overwhelmed
2 hours -
ACFIF 2026: Ex-President Kufuor to deliver special address on Africa Cocoa Vision 2050
2 hours -
4 individuals linked to PDS arrested over suspected ECG funds transfer — Kwakye Ofosu
2 hours -
BECE: Five arrested over exam malpractice – WAEC
2 hours -
Kofi Jumah reportedly hospitalised as GH¢55m bail conditions remain unmet
2 hours -
‘Behind the Lens with Queen Liz’ explores concepts of heaven and jannah
2 hours