We need an immediate independent audit of the IT systems of the Electoral Commission – Dafeamekpor

South Dayi Member of Parliament Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has called for a total audit of the IT system at the Electoral Commission (EC).

To him, the commission’s inability to account for lost BVDs & Laptops is Criminal.

His comment comes after the National Chairman of his party Johnson Asioedu Nketiah also raised concerns about the EC’s IT system.

” we are getting to a point where we will call for an independent audit of the EC’s IT system to lay to rest all doubts. we want a complete audit and this will be in the interest of all parties,” Mr Asiedu Nketia told journalists in Accra.

In a post on his X platform, Mr Dafeamekpor said “I agree with the Chairman General that we need an immediate independent audit of the IT Systems of the EC. The EC’s inability to account for lost BVDs & Laptops is Criminal.

“We were told by the EC in Parliament that these machines have trackers. So why can’t they be located?”

The concerns of Mr Asiedu Nketiah and Mr Dafeamekpor come despite the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission in Charge of Corporate Services, Dr. Bossman Asare urging for calm and reassuring that the theft of the laptops would not impact the integrity of the 2024 elections.

Speaking from the EC’s headquarters, Dr Bossman Asare clarified that all biometric devices are securely stored, affirming the Commission’s readiness for the December polls, adding that the missing items are merely laptops devoid of any sensitive information and also require activation before it can be used.

Addressing the press in Accra on Wednesday, March 20, a Deputy Commissioner at the EC, Dr Bossman Asare said “These allegations are not true. No BVD has been stolen. To set the records straight, the Commission recently undertook routine servicing of its Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Kits. It was during this maintenance that we discovered the theft of five (5) laptops from the Biometric Voter Registration kits, not seven BVDs as erroneously stated.

“For clarification, Biometric Voter Registration Kits, which comprise a laptop, camera, scanner, and printer, are entirely separate from the Commissions Registration Data Systems and are incapable of manipulating election outcomes as suggested. These kits, though crucial for voter registration, require specific activation to function accordingly. Without such activation, they serve no purpose beyond their individual components as a laptop, camera, scanner, or printer. What this means is that, they are of no value beyond what they were manufactured to be.

“Similarly, the stolen laptops, cannot be utilized for voter verification or registration. It remains just a laptop. As such, they cannot be used to compromise our systems and
undermine the credibility of the upcoming elections in December 2024. The integrity of our systems and elections remain intact. Again there seem to be some confusion as to the use of our equipment. It’s imperative to understand that the Commission utilizes two (2) distinct equipment for its operations: the Biometric Voter Registration kits which is used for voter registration and the Biometric Verification Devices to verify voters using their fingerprints or facial features on election day. These devices, in isolation, cannot fulfill the functions of registration or verification without proper activation.

“It is important to note that at the completion of every registration exercise, all data captured are erased from the laptops in a process termed ‘End of Life’. As such, we assure the public that the stolen laptops contain no sensitive or valuable data.

Consequently, the theft bears no impact on the integrity of upcoming elections, nor does it serve any political agenda as insinuated. Upon detection of the theft, the Commission promptly notified security agencies involved in the maintenance process, and investigations are actively ongoing to apprehend and prosecute the suspects. The Commission places high value on its assets including the Biometric Voter Registration Kits and Biometric Verification devices hence its continuous reliance on the Police and other security devices to protect all its installations.

“The Commission urges public figures and citizens alike to exercise due diligence by verifying information before dissemination. This responsibility is paramount to maintaining public trust and preventing unwarranted fear or panic. The Electoral Commission remains committed to upholding the highest standards of transparency and integrity in its operations and elections.”