The Majority Leader in Parliament has said the Electoral Commission (EC) paid $28 million over seven years to have its data system serviced.

This was, however, not done Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu told the media in parliament, Wednesday.

He said when the country switched to use the biometric system in 2012 under the Kwadwo Afari-Gyan-led EC, the election monitoring body signed an agreement with the handlers of the data to have the system serviced every year.

This cost the taxpayer $4 million a year.

According to the Suame MP, the contract runs from 2012 under Dr Afari-Gyan to 2018 under Charlotte Osei.

“Those seven years, the nation had to pay $28 million to the body that was charged with servicing.

“It turns out that no servicing had been done all these years and yet up to 2018, the nation had to pay $28 million,” Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said.

He said during Charlotte Osei’s time at the helm, the service providers proposed to refurbish the system for $15 million.

However, after the exit of Mrs Osei and her deputies, the Commission under Jean Mensa has secured a deal that will see the EC procure a brand new and enhanced system for $6.1 million.

An additional recovery centre will also be procured for $1.3 million, totaling $7.4 million.

“This is huge saving for the country,” he said.

Forensic audit

The Majority Leader speaking on the alleged loss to the state, nudged the current EC leadership to cause a forensic audit into the $28 million loss.

“As a country whether we had value for money, the system can call for a forensic audit but it is for the Electoral Commission to do that and not me,” he said.

Distortion of facts

Responding to claims from the Minority, Kyei Mensah Bonsu said it is untrue that the EC is not prepared to compile the new voters' register.

He said the Minority Leader, Haruna Iddrisu had engaged in distortion of facts from MPs' meeting with the EC boss, Jean Mensa.