On Tuesday, 18th August, 2015, the NPP led by Dr Bawumia organized a press conference in Accra to expose the acclaimed over bloated voter register.
According to Dr.Bawumia, this was discovered by an investigative team put together by the NPP to unravel the unusually high and statistically questionable voter population of 14million representing 56% of total population.
According to Dr. Bawumia, it is statistically questionable for 56% of total national population to register to vote. Let’s consider following analysis:
The 2010 population census revealed that Ghana’s population was 25000000. This is why 14,000,000 represent 56%. We have been told that Ghana’s population grows by 2.5% annually. If this assertion is anything to go by, then Ghana’s population in 2011 would be 2.5% of 2500000 = 625,000, adding this figure to 25,000,000 = 25,625,000.
At the same growth rate, Ghana’s population in 2012 would be 2.5% of 25,625,000 = 640,625, adding this figure to the 2011 population of 25,625,000, will sum up to 26,906,250. This is Ghana’s population in 2012 and not the 25,000,000 as above.
So, if the EC registered 14,000,000 to vote in 2012 as Dr. Bawumia claimed, then per the above analysis, the figure represents 52.03% of 2012 population and not 56%.
Dr. Bawumia also failed to appreciate the fact that those who were between 14 and 17 years and by law were not eligible to register for the 2008 election, including those who turned 18 after the period of registration, all qualified as voters for the 2012 elections.
Again, Dr. Bawumia claim that larger number of districts bordering our neighboring countries had an unusual increase in voter registration, he cited Ketu South 28.9%, Hohoe 42.2%, Nkwanta North 52.4%, Nzema East 27.7%, Suaman 23.2%. If the above figures given by Dr.Bawumia influenced the outcome of the 2012 election because foreigners crossed our borders to register(as he suspected), then what about the following districts which are in Greater Accra region and therefore does not share any boundary with any neighboring country but also as Bawumia said had an unusual increase in voter registration; Kpone Katamanso 57.7%, Ga west 58.6% and Adentan 48.7%?
Make your own judgement!
Joe Mensah (19/08/15)