Ghana’s main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has raised an alarm about the appearance of the names of 50, 000 dead people in the voters register ahead of the 2024 general elections billed for December.
The NDC also alleged that there were illegal name transfers and missing voters. The party has called for a general audit of the voters register to assure citizens of a free and credible elections.
The election authority says errors that were previously identified have been corrected.
NDC director of elections Dr Omane Boamah said an independent audit of the electoral roll is the only way to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process.
He said his party had suggested the Electoral Commision (EC) allow the UN Development Programme to facilitate the process, but that this idea was rejected.
The EC has said calls for an audit are misguided and unnecessary, but the opposition warns that thousands of registered voters risk being disenfranchised if errors persist.
The commission said mistakes highlighted previously have been corrected.
The communications director of the governing New Patriotic Party, Richard Ahiagba, said his party has “faith in the Electoral Commission’s independence to ensure a credible vote in December”.
Ghana goes to the polls in December 2024 in a two-horse race between John Mahama – an opposition candidate and former president – and current Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia. With BBC reports