Limited Voter Registration: Wait for Next Year - EC to those in remote areas

Source: Asempa FM

In a recent announcement, the Electoral Commission of Ghana has clarified its stance regarding eligible voters who will not be able to register at the Commission's district offices nationwide this year.

According to Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Director of Electoral Services at the Commission, these individuals will have the opportunity to register next year. Dr. Quaicoe made this statement during an appearance on Asempa FM's Ekosiisen on Monday, September 19.

The Commission's plan hinges on obtaining legal approval from parliament for its Constitutional Instrument, C.I., which will enable them to implement special arrangements for hard-to-reach areas starting next year.

Additionally, the Commission intends to introduce a continuous registration process at its offices, ensuring that potential voters can register at any time.

Dr. Quaicoe emphasized the need for those in remote areas to make an effort to reach district offices for registration this year. He noted that even next year, the Commission won't be able to cover all areas simultaneously. Instead, their mop-up will depend on the specific circumstances and figures on the ground.

The Commission intends to collaborate with stakeholders to determine the genuinely hard-to-reach areas before initiating registration efforts.

One example highlighting the challenges of accessibility was presented by Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, the MP for Wa East, who called for the establishment of a new registration center in the Wa East District due to geographical constraints. He explained that the Wa East District faced difficulties because its capital, Funsi, was difficult to access, with road access cut off by rivers.

Despite facing legal challenges from several opposition parties contesting the decision not to hold the registration in electoral areas this year, the Electoral Commission is proceeding with the exercise. Chairperson Mrs. Jean Mensa attributed some of the Commission's difficulties in decentralizing the registration process to Parliament's failure to pass the new Constitutional Instrument C.I. presented for approval.

Mrs. Mensa clarified that the Commission had planned for continuous registration in all district offices nationwide if the C.I. had been passed, allowing for a sustained long-term registration process. However, since the C.I. did not pass, the 2023 work plan and budget did not account for electoral area registration.

To address concerns and criticisms related to the registration exercise, Mrs. Jean Mensa highlighted the Commission's efforts to increase registration stations in Tamale and other areas as needed. The goal is to ensure that eligible voters are not disenfranchised, with the Commission swiftly replacing faulty kits and expanding the number of registration stations in certain locations.