Missing names in voters’ register not new – EC refers to 2012 roll

The Electoral Commission (EC) has rejected the NDC’s claim that its compilation of a new voters’ register has been a ‘monumental failure’.

The Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe explained that problems such as missing names or duplicated voter ID numbers are not new to the commission.

The opposition NDC has claimed that at least 29,000 people could not find their names in the register displayed for the public to check their names.

In an interview on Joy TV’s Newsfile programme on Saturday, September 26, the NDC, represented by its National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi criticised the EC and expressed fears that people could end up disenfranchised by the EC’s ‘failures.’

But the Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, explained that the errors identified during the exhibition exercise cannot be used to lambast the EC.

This is because the goal of the exhibition exercise is to identify errors and correct them. The EC has argued the problems identified goes to show that the compilation of a new register is yet to be completed.

Dr. Quaicoe said the registration processes could only be said to have been completed after a final register is printed. He said the systems implemented by the EC will address each error without legitimate applicants being disenfranchised.

The EC Director pointed out that errors in the register are not a new phenomenon

The EC indicated that missing names alone were detected in 152 districts across the country in 2012. Several districts also had issues which have been classified into eight categories.

A compilation of the errors with the 2012 register by the EC, a copy which is available to theghanatreport.com, indicates that discrepancies between the total number of voters in the register and end of day reports were corrected by retrieving data using the polling station Poll books/Forms 1A to identified voters affected.

The same Voter ID number for multiples of voters in the same polling station was detected at La Dade-kotopon, Akwapim South, Fanteakwa, Hohoe, Jasikan, Asikuma Odoben, Tema Metro, Keta Tano North.

Displacement of voters to other polling stations than where they registered were observed at Nandom, Adenta, Ayawaso West & Central, Jomoro, Ashiedu Keteke and Agona East.

Pictures did not appear in the register for persons in Tamale North, Central Tongu, Kumbungu, Atiwa.

Swapping of pictures of voters in polling stations were detected at Bekwei, Kwabre East, Sunyani Municipal, Jaman South, Asutifi North

A voter with multiple ID numbers across polling stations issues came up at Garu, Tempane, Nanton, Karaga, Suaman, Asuogyaman, East Akim.

Duplicate Voter ID numbers came up in Ga West, Ho Municipal, Manpong, Bantama, Savelugu, Tema Metro, Atwima Nwabiagya which was addressed by reprinting new voter ID cards at the time.

The Member of Parliament for Akuapem South constituency in the Eastern Region, Osei Bonsu Amoah, who was also on the show indicated that “in 2012 corrections alone were 200,686 which resulted in the printing of new cards” and new “inclusions 7,318”.

The EC further explained that the increased number of voters observed at the exhibition exercise was due to the addition of people who registered at the district offices and secondary schools.

These people had to be attached to polling stations where they would be voting accounting or the variation of numbers.

However, Mr Gyamfi insisted that they factored all these groups in their calculations yet they were massive discrepancies in the numbers churned out by the EC.

The NDC party has subsequently presented a letter and evidence to back its claims to the EC to have the issues resolved.