Ghana's Opposition Protests Voter Roll Issues Ahead of December Election

On September 17, 2024, Ghana's primary opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), orchestrated nationwide demonstrations to address concerns regarding alleged voter roll irregularities. The protests come less than three months before the country's presidential election, scheduled for December 7, 2024.

John Dramani Mahama, the NDC's candidate and former president, will face Mahamudu Bawumia of the ruling New Patriotic Party in the upcoming election. The winner will succeed President Nana Akufo-Addo, who is set to conclude his constitutionally mandated eight-year term in January 2025.

The NDC's primary grievance centers on claims that the electoral commission has unlawfully transferred voters to different polling stations without their consent, potentially compromising the integrity of the voter register. In response, the party is calling for an independent forensic audit to rectify any errors and ensure a fair electoral process.

Thousands of NDC supporters, dressed in red and black, marched through Accra's main thoroughfares. They presented petitions to both parliament and the electoral agency, while similar demonstrations occurred across Ghana's other 15 regions.

One protester, Kwame Acheampong, aged 68, shared his personal experience with the alleged irregularities: "How can I go to Tamale to vote?" he asked, explaining that his registration had been inexplicably transferred from Accra to the northern city of Tamale.

The electoral commission has stated that identified errors have been addressed. In August 2024, it took action by suspending a district director in the northeastern town of Pusiga for unauthorized voter transfers.

Ghana, known for its democratic stability, has successfully held six multi-party elections since 1992. However, the country's democratic institutions face challenges. A July 2024 survey by Afrobarometer revealed that trust in Ghana's electoral commission has reached its lowest point since confidence polls began in 1999.

Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the NDC party chairman, emphasized the gravity of the situation: "Ghana's democracy is on a serious test and we want it to prevail. It's time for war to remove anything that has the tendency to push us into a bigger war."

As Africa's largest gold producer and the world's second-largest cocoa exporter, Ghana's political stability is crucial for its economic growth. The country's population of approximately 31 million people, spread across 16 administrative regions, will be closely watching the developments leading up to the December election.

"We want nothing but transparent elections."

The upcoming election will be a significant test for Ghana's democratic institutions. As the country approaches its seventh multi-party election since the approval of its current constitution in 1992, the importance of maintaining electoral integrity cannot be overstated. The international community, including the United Nations and the African Union, of which Ghana is a member, will likely be monitoring the situation closely.