The Presidential Candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2024 election, John Dramani Mahama, has called for stakeholders in the election process to be allowed to monitor the operations of the National Identification Authority (NIA).
Mahama made this statement during a workshop for the minority caucus in parliament at the Volta Serene Hotel in the Volta Regional capital, Ho. He believes that allowing stakeholders to monitor the NIA’s operations will ensure checks and balances to prevent fraud and exploitation, especially as there are proposals for the Ghana Card to be used as the sole identification document in general elections.
The former President reiterated the NDC’s objection to the proposed use of the Ghana Card in the upcoming general election, citing that the NIA is not adequately prepared for such a responsibility. He highlighted that not everyone has been registered by the Authority, and a significant number of cards issued were not given to the applicants across the country.
Mahama stressed the need for sufficient time to allow the Ghana Card to be fully integrated into the national identification system. He argued that until there is near-total coverage in the rollout of the Ghana Card, individuals who are yet to be served should not be excluded from exercising their democratic right to vote.
This call for monitoring the NIA’s operations and the objections to the proposed use of the Ghana Card in the general election align with Mahama’s stance on ensuring transparency and fairness in the election process. As the 2024 election approaches, it remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed to uphold the credibility of the electoral system.
