Ghana’s main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has demanded an audit of the electoral register, after it raised concerns about significant irregularities likely to harm the credibility of the upcoming December presidential election.
One of the main issues is the alleged inflation of the voter list. According to the NDC, the electoral roll contains 50,000 extra names, including deceased individuals. Additionally, they claim that many voters have been transferred to distant polling stations without their knowledge.
The NDC accuses the Electoral Commission of manipulating the voter list to benefit the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) ahead of the election, a charge the Commission denies.
Accusations of electoral fraud have been common in Ghana since its first elections in 1992, with claims coming from all political sides. While the Electoral Commission dismisses the latest allegations as baseless, some analysts, like Kobby Mensah, share the opposition’s concerns. Mensah points out that in April, several biometric kits were stolen from the Commission’s headquarters, and it took weeks for the Commission to respond.
The NDC is increasing pressure on the Electoral Commission and organizing protests across all sixteen regions of Ghana.