Let's Know IT experts - NPP asks EC

Madam Charlotte Osei

The EC on Wednesday at an IPAC meeting revealed that it has recruited an undisclosed IT expert to help investigate the allegations of a bloated voters register.  Madam Charlotte Osei said: “We are investigating the allegations which have been made by some political parties especially when it touches on the integrity or the security of our IT systems. We are getting independent outside expertise to help us look into those allegations.” The New Patriotic Party (NPP) wants the Electoral Commission (EC) to disclose the identity of the IT expert reviewing the voters register. It insists that an independent review of the voters register is necessary. “This is a public service, how do you simply keep the name of the company out. We are not in the know of the nature of the work. We are not too sure we are giving this company the database. Are they going round to places like Togo where people are said to be involved in registration to conduct interviews. “It is important that you give much information. In any case, the Commission is supposed to be an interested party. It is the Commission’s work that is in focus here … If we are to get an independent body to do the inquiry, then we can say exactly what it involves,” Martin Agyei Mensah Korsah, NPP's Director of elections quipped. However, the General Secretary of the Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) Kofi Asamoah-Siaw is satisfied with the EC’s move. “I think we are satisfied with the process so far. I think she mentioned that she was going to give us an opportunity to speak to the entire conference to present what was contained in our submission, so that is a good initiative."