Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) Jean Mensah has justified the decision to publish full details of persons captured in the electoral roll.
She argued that the Commission breached no law because they are mandated by law to publicly put out the details of registered voters.
She made these comments as part of her opening remarks at a media training for journalists on electoral reporting in Accra.
This comes on the back of the divided opinion that greeted a widely shared Google Drive link containing a list of Ghanaians eligible to exercise their franchise in the December polls.
The details included voters' names, ages, polling centers as well as ID numbers.
A section of the public also raised concerns about data protection that may potentially arise.
But Jean Mensah has fought off the claims adding that "C.I. 127 requires that the provisional voters register is published on our website."
"That same law states that the final register is published in a manner that the Commission deems fit," she said on Tuesday.
According to her, the development will also ensure transparency in the electoral process.
She also revealed that the list has been temporarily pulled down to allow for an upgrade with more enhanced functionalities before subsequently reloading it "in the coming days."
Meanwhile, Vice President of IMANI Africa has refuted claims that the Electoral Commission had the automatic right to make public details of electorates.
Kofi Bentil said the laws that allow the Commission to publish the voters' roll (in the manner determined by the Commission) also requires the EC to exercise “a careful discretion” in putting out such details.
“It is not true that the Electoral Commission has the automatic right to do this. There is no express authorisation for them to do this.
"The law is clear that, they should decide how they are going to put out the data but that decision is also subject to other laws,” he said.
Latest Stories
-
Ten dead as navy helicopters collide mid-air in Malaysia
8 mins -
Kwadaso Onion Market: Traders relocated over security concerns
16 mins -
Organise your dumsor demo, we’ll choose who to partner for ours – Franklin Cudjoe tells Yvonne Nelson
21 mins -
Government to consolidate cash waterfall revenue collection accounts
32 mins -
‘Otumfuor is one of Kotoko’s biggest issues’ – Nana Agyemang
37 mins -
Bawumia travels to Italy and Vatican State
50 mins -
Bellingham wins Laureus Breakthrough award
1 hour -
2024 polls: Haruna Iddrisu predicts NDC victory in all 11 Upper West parliamentary seats
1 hour -
GPL: Berekum Chelsea beat Medeama to go fifth
1 hour -
Debt Restructuring: Government to reach agreement with IPPs in May
2 hours -
It’s time for Ghana to move from NPP and NDC – Abu Sakara insists
2 hours -
NCCE launches 2024 Annual Constitution Week in Kumasi
2 hours -
Dumsor: Yvonne Nelson criticises Akufo-Addo for taking Ghanaians for granted, proposes another vigil
2 hours -
GFA appoints Zito, Preko and Amadu to take charge of newly-formed male national teams
2 hours -
Government committed to enhancing the condition of roads in Kumasi – Asenso-Boakye
2 hours