By: Emmanuel Amoah
The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has suggested that the Electoral Commission (EC) implement a system for the 2024 elections that would enable the electronic transmission of results directly from polling stations to its official website.
Rev Dr Fred Deegbe, representing CDD-Ghana, highlighted that this system could reduce irregularities in the collation, transmission, and announcement of election results, thereby safeguarding the election’s integrity and restoring public trust by allowing citizens to monitor the process in real-time. He noted that the rise in misinformation, disinformation, and the malicious use of social media poses a significant threat to the upcoming elections, which requires a comprehensive approach to address.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary public lecture of the Political Science Education Department at the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Rev Dr Deegbe emphasized the importance of the EC updating its website to facilitate this process. He recommended that the website provide detailed, frequently updated vote counts for both parliamentary and presidential candidates.
Rev Dr Deegbe also urged the EC and other stakeholders to use technology to educate voters, strengthen cybersecurity, and combat misinformation. He called on Civil Society Organizations to continue using data analytics to ensure accuracy and transparency while the country moves towards potentially introducing electronic voting in the future.
Additionally, he advised citizens to resist vote-buying efforts and vote responsibly to elect leaders who will be held accountable. He underscored the negative impact of monetizing elections on national development and urged stakeholders to educate the public on these dangers.
Rev Dr Deegbe concluded by calling on all citizens to work together to ensure that Ghana remains a beacon of hope in Africa following the 2024 elections.
