63 duplicate Voter ID numbers identified in EC data

Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed it has seen some 63 Voter ID numbers duplicated in its system in the nationwide voter registration exercise.

The anomaly was experienced in the Okaikwei North District in the Greater Accra region according to the Electoral Commission.

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The Commission in the press statement also indicated that the duplicate ID numbers were reported by the registration officials.

The same voter ID numbers were generated by two different machines. According to the EC, the duplication is from one of its kits which was faulty and was serviced but before it was taken out for repairs, its unique identity was transferred to a backup kit. The kit after being repaired was inadvertently released to the District office after without creating a new identity for it. This is what created the duplication.

In a statement, the EC said those who were impacted by the challenge will have their voter’s ID card replaced and with new and accurate ID numbers.

In its press release on the matter, it said.  “Further investigation revealed that a faulty kit had been issued out for the registration without putting in place measures to avoid the duplication of ID numbers.

It stated that the affected persons will be issued with new voters ID numbers at the completion of the voters’ registration exercise.

“The affected applicants are unique with unique biodata and biometrics. As such, they stand no risk of being disenfranchised on voting day,” the statement explained.

The Electoral Commission (EC) also assured all Ghanaians in the Okaikwei North District in the Greater Accra region who have been affected and the general public that, the commission will ensure, they are not in any way disenfranchise by this.

The Commission has also indicated that it has put in place measures to ensure, such an occurrence is not given the room to reoccurs in the registration process.

Day 12 of the ongoing new voter registration information from the EC which is the Regional Summary of Voters Registration Figures (Provisional) shows that 341,312 new voters have been registered. The National Summary of 2020 Voters Registration (Provisional figures) by the end of day 12 stands at 4,455,346.

In phase one of the process, some 2,225,826 Ghanaians registered. The second phase saw 2,219,520 persons being captured onto the register.

The Electoral Commission (EC) continues to provide daily updates on the registration process and outcomes to keep all stakeholders updated. This series of daily updates are aimed at ensuring its systems and processes are transparent to boost the confidence of the general public and political actors in the commission and its work ahead of  Ghana’s 2020 general elections.

However, Ghanaians have been asking for the regional breakdown of registered voters and the EC is encouraged to provide this information as well to further boost its respect and the confidence of the various political parties in its transparency efforts.

A regional breakdown of the 4,445,346 registered voters is key and must be considered by the EC.

Source: Electionsinghana.com