On May 9, 2024, Bernard Afful, Deputy Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Mpohor, and Roger Miller, proprietor of Voice of Christ Preparatory School, were arrested for their involvement in facilitating the registration of minors during the ongoing voter registration exercise. The incident came to light after a tip-off to the police regarding the proprietor’s attempt to register his 16-year-old son and several school colleagues.
Law enforcement swiftly intervened following the tip-off, leading to the apprehension of the suspects, Bernard Afful and Roger Miller. Subsequent investigations uncovered five voter ID cards suspected to belong to underage students in the possession of Miller. During interrogation, both suspects confessed to orchestrating the registration of these students. As investigations continue, the suspects are scheduled to be arraigned before the courts on Friday, May 10.
This incident not only highlights a blatant disregard for electoral laws but also underscores the NDC’s hypocrisy. While the party has been vocal in its criticism of the EC, attempting to tarnish its credibility through propaganda, its members are found engaging in actions that directly compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Furthermore, this incident raises significant concerns about the effectiveness of the guarantor system employed during voter registration. While designed to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of voter registration, such cases expose vulnerabilities within the system that individuals and political parties with malicious intent can exploit to register ineligible voters.
In light of these developments, it is imperative for all stakeholders, including political parties, civil society, and electoral authorities, to remain vigilant and uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, and integrity in the electoral process. Addressing lapses in the registration process and holding accountable those who seek to undermine it are essential steps towards safeguarding the credibility of elections in Ghana.
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with all parties involved to ensure that the electoral process remains free, fair, and credible. Any attempts by the NDC to subvert this process, whether through baseless propaganda or illicit actions, must be met with swift and decisive action to uphold the democratic values upon which Ghana’s electoral system is built.
