‘Verifying details online won’t ensure accurate reflection in final voter register’ – NDC’s Mahdi Jibril

The Deputy Director of Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mahdi Jibril, has voiced strong concerns over the credibility of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) online voter verification system.

According to Jibril, verifying one’s name online through the system does not guarantee accurate reflection in the final voter register.

“Checking your name with the short code doesn’t mean your name will be on the register,” he stressed, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the EC’s IT system.

His comments come as voters are urged to verify their details ahead of the December 2024 General Elections, using the EC’s newly launched online platform.

Jibril emphasized the need for a forensic audit of the EC’s IT infrastructure, citing the ongoing issues encountered by voters attempting to verify their information.

“Even with this short code that we have started today, people have started having problems,” he stated.

The NDC, alongside other political parties, has consistently demanded greater transparency from the EC, pushing for the release of the revised Provisional Voter Register (PVR), which remains unavailable despite promises from the Commission.

The absence of the PVR, Jibril noted, hampers the NDCs chances of verifying the accuracy of statistics released.

“Until we receive the register, we cannot say anything about the statistics released,” he remarked, highlighting the growing tension between the EC and political parties as the 2024 General Elections approach.

The EC is currently in an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting with political parties to address election-related concerns.

Jibril has indicate that the all parties concerns will be raised there.