Ghana, often hailed as a model of democracy in West Africa, now faces a serious challenge to its electoral processes and democratic institutions.

Ahead of the country’s December 7th presidential and parliamentary elections, allegations of irregularities in the voter roll have ignited widespread protests, primarily led by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), which accuses the Electoral Commission of facilitating potential fraud. 

The controversy surrounding the voter register raises fundamental questions about the integrity of Ghana’s democratic framework and its ability to ensure free and fair elections.

What is the Electoral Commission?

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is an independent, constitutionally mandated body that oversees elections and referenda in the country. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that elections reflect the will of the people by conducting them in a free, fair, and transparent manner. 

Established under the 1992 Constitution, the EC is tasked with managing voter registration, overseeing the electoral process, regulating political party activities, and instituting electoral reforms when necessary.

The EC has long been viewed as a cornerstone of Ghana’s democratic system, ensuring that all eligible citizens have access to the ballot box. However, recent events have brought the EC’s independence and effectiveness into question.

Growing Protests Over the Voter Register

In recent months, protests have erupted across all of Ghana’s 16 regions, with citizens demanding that the government address issues surrounding the voter register. 

The NDC has raised alarms over what it claims are serious irregularities. These include allegations of illegal name transfers, missing names, and the inclusion of over 50,000 deceased individuals on the register—issues that could disenfranchise many voters and potentially skew the election in favor of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

In response, the NDC has called for an independent audit of the voter roll, claiming that this is the only way to ensure fairness and transparency. 

“We are not asking for a big favor from the electoral commission, we are demanding our right to free and fair elections,” Johnson Asiedu-Nketiah, the chairman of the NDC told party members before a protest march in Accra, the nation’s capital. 

The Electoral Commission’s Response

Despite the mounting protests and calls for a thorough investigation into the voter register, the Electoral Commission has rejected the allegations and refused to conduct an audit. 

In public statements, the EC has dismissed the claims as unfounded, insisting that the register is “robust and credible” and urging the public to ignore what it calls baseless accusations. In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Commission reassured citizens that the voter register is ready for the upcoming elections, describing the claims of irregularities as a distraction.

Despite their attempts to persuade citizens, public confidence in the EC has been significantly shaken. According to a survey by the pan-African research group Afrobarometer, trust in the Electoral Commission is at its lowest point since such polls began in 1999. 

Implications for Ghana’s Democracy

The ongoing protests and the EC’s response point to a deepening crisis within Ghana’s democratic framework. The unwillingness of the Electoral Commission to resolve allegations of irregularities has the potential to undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections. 

This situation reflects the broader issues of stealth authoritarianism in the form of voter disenfranchisement, particularly among rural voters, who are often less satisfied with the incumbent government and more likely to support opposition parties, according to Ozan O. Varol. 

The Electoral Commission’s refusal to conduct an independent audit and address these allegations raises alarms about potential democratic backsliding. According to scholars Ellen Lust and David Waldner, democratic backsliding occurs when changes undermine the competitiveness of elections, liberties, and accountability. The Commission’s failure to restore transparency in the voter register signals a dangerous shift away from democratic norms, which could have lasting consequences for Ghana’s political system.

Electoral Violence and the Threat of Unrest

The failure to address the issues surrounding the voter roll also raises concerns about electoral violence. Ghana has a history of peaceful, free, and fair elections, but there have been incidents of violence in previous elections. In the 2020 presidential election, eight people were killed in election-related violence, and the opposition accused the government of electoral manipulation, a claim that was denied by the ruling party.

With the next election on the horizon, tensions are rising, and if the Electoral Commission does not take swift action to address the concerns over the voter roll, the risk of electoral violence and unrest increases. Citizens may feel that their votes are not being counted or that the process is rigged, leading to more protests, clashes, and other forms of civil unrest that threaten political stability.

The Bottom Line

The current crisis over the voter register has exposed deep cracks in Ghana’s electoral process, raising serious concerns about lack of transparency and public trust in the Electoral Commission, who are supposed to be safeguarders of democracy. 

As Ghana moves closer to the 2024 elections, the need for transparency, accountability, and fairness in the electoral process has never been more critical. Both domestic and international observers will be closely monitoring the situation, watching to see whether the EC can restore public confidence and demonstrate that Ghana’s democratic institutions remain strong and capable of withstanding political pressure.