Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) is seeking to register about 623,000 first-time voters onto the electoral roll in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise across the country ahead of the December 7 national elections.
The 21-day exercise commenced today [Tuesday, May 7] in all 258 district offices of the Commission. The exercise is expected to end on Monday, May 27, 2024.
Moreover, the Commission has set up additional 785 centres to cater to individuals who may have difficulty accessing the EC’s district offices.
Also, 25 public universities have been included as registration centres.
“Permanent centres will be set up at the District offices while mobile teams would be used to register eligible applicants in the difficult-to-access Electoral Areas. The list of registration centres will be provided to the Political Parties no later than twenty-one (21) days to the Registration exercise,” the EC noted.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has emphasised the importance of compiling a credible voter register as election 2024 beckons.
She said that without a credible voter register, there can never be transparent elections.
Addressing a news conference in Accra on Monday, May 6, ahead of the 2024 limited voter registration exercise, Jean Mensah said the EC is poised to deliver a credible and transparent election.
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“As a commission, we remain poised and ready to deliver credible, transparent and peaceful elections and electoral processes starting with the 2024 registration exercise.
“It is well known that the voters register is a bedrock of an election. Without a credible and accurate voter register, there can be no transparent and acceptable elections,” she stated.
Network challenges stall exercise
Meanwhile, the much-anticipated exercise has hit a stumbling block in five key districts across the country.
Despite the nationwide rollout, not a single person has been successfully registered in the Ayawaso West Wougon, Ayawaso Central, Korle Klotey, Ayawaso East, and Ayawaso North districts.
Reports suggest that the registration delays extend beyond these specific districts, indicating a national problem that threatens to impede the registration process.
PWDs visiting registration centres
The EC Chairperson further called on the general public to bear with the commission when protocols for persons with disabilities (PWDs) are activated at its various registration centres.
“We have put in place arrangements for persons with disabilities to access our various centres and receive immediate attention.
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According to the Commission, person with disabilities include persons who are visually impaired, physically challenges, or persons who have albinism amongst others.
“Our officers have been directed to make them comfortable by ensuring that they do not join long queues but are afforded the opportunity to be served as soon as they arrive at the centres.
“We also call on the general public to bear this in mind and not oppose the protocols that have been put in place for persons with disabilities,” she noted.
Madam Jean Mensa also called on stakeholders, especially the media, to assist the Commission in apprehending individuals who engage in activities of busing minors and foreigners to be registered onto the national album.
