Politics

Special voting : EC sets December 2 for 2024 elections

EC, Jean Adukwei Mensa

The special voting exercise for the 2024 general election has been scheduled for December 2, 2024.

As Ghana prepares for the impending general elections on December 7, 2024, the Electoral Commission (EC) has scheduled a special voting session for December 2, 2024.

This provision is intended to ensure that specific groups of registered voters can engage in the electoral process prior to the main election day.

Here’s all you need know about it in Ghana:

What is special voting?

Special voting is a process that allows particular groups of registered voters to vote before the official election day. This technique is especially useful for people whose work obligations will keep them from voting on December 7.

Eligible groups include:

Journalists
Security personnel
Electoral officers
Other essential service providers

Eligibility and application process

To participate in the exercise, people and organizations must meet particular criteria and follow the EC’s application process.

Here’s a step-by-step instructions:

Eligibility: Only registered voters who can prove that they will be performing official tasks on Election Day are eligible for this type of voting. Applications must be received between June 17 and July 1, 2024.

Required documentation: Applicants must produce proof of their participation on Election Day. This could include an official letter from their employer or the appropriate authority.

Submission Process: Individual applicants should apply directly to the returning officer for their individual constituencies.

Members of institutions or groups should create a list of their members and submit it to the returning officers. This list will be used as a register to aid the special voting process.

List Requirements: The provided list must contain:

Names of each applicants
Voter ID card numbers
Polling station codes as they appear on the applicants’ voter ID cards

In-Person Application: All applicants must apply in person to the returning officer to ensure the special voting register’s integrity and accuracy.

Announcement and Official Guidelines

The Electoral Commission’s chairperson, Jean Mensa, made the official announcement about the special voting date and procedures during a news conference in Accra on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Mrs. Mensa stressed the necessity of following the application rules to guarantee a smooth and efficient special voting process.

The importance

Special voting is critical to ensuring Ghana’s electoral process remains inclusive and fair. It ensures that those who play critical roles in the election, such as security personnel and media practitioners, can exercise their democratic rights without jeopardizing their professional duties.

Preparing for Special Voting

As the application period approaches, eligible voters and institutions are encouraged to gather the relevant papers and submit their applications on time.

Early planning will assist to avoid last-minute issues and ensure a smooth voting process on December 2.