FDAG Warns of Democratic Crisis, Calls for Urgent Voter Register Audit




The Forum for Development and Accountable Governance (FDAG) has raised an alarm over the credibility of Ghana's voter register, asserting that widespread anomalies and allegations of manipulation threaten the integrity of the 2024 general elections. In a press conference held in Accra, Nana Kojo Abbam, Senior Research Fellow of FDAG, stated that Ghana's democracy is "in peril," calling for an immediate and independent forensic audit of the voter register.


Citing examples from countries like Kenya and South Africa, Abbam emphasized that electoral integrity is paramount to preserving democracy. He referenced Kenya's 2017 elections, where an independent audit revealed critical flaws in the voter roll, leading to a rerun of the election. Similarly, South Africa conducted rigorous audits to maintain confidence in its electoral system in 2014 and 2019. "Ghana must not shy away from these lessons," he declared.


The FDAG criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) for its "alarming intransigence" in addressing the concerns raised. According to Abbam, the EC's refusal to undergo an independent audit raises questions about its neutrality and independence. He further accused the current government, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, of hypocrisy for dismissing calls for electoral reform—despite having championed the same cause while in opposition.


The group proposed four key actions: an immediate forensic audit of the voter register by an independent international body, public disclosure of the audit’s findings, legal consequences for any discovered fraud, and a review of the EC's leadership if necessary.


FDAG's call for action underscores the urgency of protecting the upcoming 2024 elections from fraud and ensuring that Ghana’s democracy remains resilient and credible.

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