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Limited Voter Registration Exercise Faces Setbacks in Key Districts Today

ec official affected by the setback

The much-anticipated limited voter registration exercise in Ghana, scheduled to commence on Tuesday, May 7, has encountered a significant obstacle in five key districts across the country.

Despite the nationwide rollout, registration delays are being reported, no individual has been successfully enrolled in the voter registration process within the Ayawaso West Wougon, Ayawaso Central, Korle Klotey, Ayawaso East, and Ayawaso North districts.

Cause of the Setback:

As per various reports, the registration delays appear to extend beyond the mentioned districts, signifying a nationwide issue that could hinder the overall registration process.

This setback poses a threat to the Electoral Commission’s (EC) efforts to conduct a smooth and efficient registration process, aiming to enroll approximately 623,000 first-time voters nationwide.

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EC’s Stance on Credible Voter Register:
In response to the situation, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has emphasized the importance of compiling a credible voter register as election 2024 approaches.

She stated that without a credible voter register, transparent elections cannot be achieved.

On Monday, May 6, Jean Mensa addressed a news conference in Accra, highlighting the EC’s commitment to delivering a credible and transparent election process, starting with the 2024 registration exercise.

Details of the Limited Registration Exercise:
The 21-day voter registration drive, concluding on May 27, 2024, focuses on enrolling those who have attained 18 years since the previous registration, thus updating the national electoral roll.

This exercise will be conducted at the Electoral Commission’s district locations and areas with challenging accessibility.

Ghana Education Service’s Support:
In light of the registration exercise, the management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has granted Senior High/Senior High Technical School students who have attained 18 years of age or older four days’ permission to go home and participate in the exercise.

To overcome the challenges faced during the limited voter registration exercise, the Electoral Commission and relevant authorities set to identify and address the underlying causes of the delays thereby bringing this exercise into fruition.

Ensuring a smooth and efficient registration process is vital for maintaining public trust in the electoral system and paving the way for transparent elections in 2024.