In a passionate address during his tour of the Greater Accra Region, former President John Dramani Mahama, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections, expressed deep concerns over what he described as significant anomalies in the electoral roll.

Former President Mahama’s remarks came on the second day of his campaign tour, during which he called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to urgently rectify the issues to ensure a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.

He criticized the EC for what he believes is a failure to adequately maintain the integrity of the voter register, highlighting a range of issues that he says could undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections.

“Recently, the Electoral Commission opened the register for people to go and inspect their names. I’m sorry to say there’s a lot wrong with that register. The EC has to sit up.  So that we don’t have any confusion on election day. The EC is an important institution in having peaceful elections in this country. So if the EC commissioners are listening to me, you better wake up. You’re not doing your job properly”.

Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC Presidential Candidate for the 2024 General Elections

According to former President Mahama, numerous eligible voters have discovered that their names are missing from the register, while others have found that their details have been inexplicably transferred to different constituencies.

He also pointed out irregularities in the registration process for proxy voting and multiple registrations, suggesting that these issues could lead to confusion and disenfranchisement on election day.

He urged the leadership of the Electoral Commission to “wake up” and fulfil their responsibilities to the Ghanaian people, ensuring that the electoral process is both fair and transparent.

Former President Mahama’s remarks reflect broader concerns among political stakeholders and civil society groups about the preparedness of the EC for the December 7 elections.

The former President’s critique comes at a time when trust in electoral processes is critical for maintaining peace and stability in Ghana.

“You’re not doing your job properly,” Mahama admonished the EC, underscoring the importance of accuracy and accountability in the electoral process.

The Significance of 2024 General Elections

In his speech, former President John Dramani Mahama framed the upcoming election as a pivotal moment for Ghana’s future.

He argued that the current administration has led the country down a “wrong path,” citing a recent poll indicating that 80% of Ghanaians believe the nation is heading in the wrong direction.

“This election is about the future of this country; it is an election about correcting the wrong course we have been taken by the current administration”.

Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC Presidential Candidate for the 2024 General Elections

The NDC flagbearer presented the NDC as the party capable of steering Ghana back on track, describing the need for a “reset” to correct the country’s trajectory.

He urged Ghanaians to support the NDC, positioning himself as the “licensed driver” with the experience and competence to lead the nation to prosperity.

“We need experience. We need one who has done it before. We need a licensed driver to take over the vehicle and move the vehicle towards where God has ordained that we go,” former President Mahama declared, drawing a metaphor between the country’s leadership and the need for capable hands at the wheel.

Addressing the enthusiastic crowd in Ada, former President Mahama expressed confidence in the constituency’s support for the NDC, predicting a strong turnout for his party on election  day.

“And I know that come December 7, 2024, as Ada has always done, you’re going to stand solidly behind us,” he stated, calling on the electorate to join in the effort to “reset the course of Ghana” and build a future of “prosperity and dignity for all our people.”

Former President John Dramani Mahama, NDC Presidential Candidate for the 2024 General Elections

Mahama Warns EC To Step Up Its Game

The NDC flagbearer and former President, John Dramani Mahama has cautioned the Electoral Commission to step up its performance and fulfill its responsibilities effectively.

John Mahama warned that the Electoral Commission’s failure to address discrepancies in the voter register could lead to confusion, and controversies, and undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

He emphasized that the Electoral Commission (EC) is a critical institution, essential for ensuring peaceful elections in the country, and therefore, it’s imperative that it enhances its performance and rises to the challenge.

 “So if the EC Commissioners are listening to me, you better wake up. You [EC] are not doing your job properly. A lot of people cannot find their names. Other people’s names have been transferred without their knowledge”.

“People have registered for proxy [voting] without using their biometric cards. People who have done multiple registrations have their names still on the [provisional] register”.

John Dramani Mahama

He further highlighted that legitimate voters who are mistakenly placed on the Exception List or Multiple List could potentially disenfranchise them.

The former President cautioned that unresolved discrepancies in the voter register will create barriers to voting, preventing electorates from fully participating in the democratic process and exercising their fundamental right.

He assured that the NDC is committed to peaceful politics and will not permit any electoral tensions or conflicts to arise due to the Electoral Commission’s potential failure to discharge its duties effectively.

John Mahama cautioned that the NDC will not remain passive or accept any attempts to manipulate or rig the upcoming December election, and will take necessary actions to protect its interests.

He underscored the crucial role of voter participation in bolstering Ghana’s democracy, stressing that high turnout enhances the credibility of the electoral process and grants legitimacy to those elected to govern.

NPP Dismisses NDC’s Electoral Register Concerns

However, The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has rebuffed the National Democratic Congress (NDC) concerns about the electoral register, deeming them unfounded and unnecessary.

Evans Nimako, NPP’s Director of Elections, noted that the purpose of the voter exhibition exercise is to identify and rectify the very issues raised by the NDC, demonstrating the party’s commitment to a credible electoral process.

He clarified that the voter exhibition exercise provides an opportunity for stakeholders to scrutinize the register, identify and rectify any discrepancies or errors, and ensure its accuracy before finalization, thereby rendering the NDC’s concerns moot.

“So when there’s an exhibition, the exercise is simple. It is to enable stakeholders and assist the electoral commission to come out with a register that would be the final register for an election”.

“So, at this phase, we are doing an exhibition, so if you go to the exhibition center and your details are not correct, all that you do is ask for the exhibition officer to give you the appropriate forms, so you feel for the right corrections to be made to your details.”

Evans Nimako

Nimako stated that the exhibition is intended to enable voters to double-check their registration records, making sure all information is correct and up-to-date.

This, he asserted, electorates to double-check that their names and personal details are precisely recorded and accurately reflected in the register, eliminating any yes, potential errors.

The NPP stalwart emphasized that to maintain the integrity of the electoral process, the Electoral Commission (EC) must ensure that all corrections and updates made during the exhibition are accurately reflected in the final register

As such, he expressed surprise that some individuals, particularly those from the NDC, are raising unnecessary concerns at this stage, despite the transparent and corrective measures in place.

Nimako reaffirmed the NPP’s confidence in the Electoral Commission’s ability to act with integrity and impartiality, ensuring a fair and transparent process that truly serves the interests of the Ghanaian people.