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Tag: EC

  • Electorates affected by Akosombo Dam spillage can vote without voter ID in 2024 elections – EC

    Electorates affected by Akosombo Dam spillage can vote without voter ID in 2024 elections – EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has announced that individuals affected by the Akosombo Dam spillage will have the opportunity to cast their votes in the upcoming 2024 elections even if they have lost their voters’ ID cards due to the flood.

    This decision aims to prevent the disenfranchisement of flood victims.

    Samuel Tettey, the Deputy Electoral Commissioner, made this announcement, highlighting the EC’s commitment to ensuring that affected individuals can exercise their right to vote.

    Speaking at a press conference to address electoral roll and matter arising on Wednesday, he said, “as for other particulars, I can’t speak to that. If it is the voter ID card that you have lost and your name is properly entered into the register, you can still vote without the voter ID card.”

    He clarified that voters must make sure they are at the correct polling station to cast their votes without any complications.

    “So whether you have the voter ID card or not, on the day of the election if you are able to know the polling station [that is all]. The difficulty is that if you go to the wrong polling station you are going to waste everybody’s time but if you go to the right polling station, your name will be on the register and you will be allowed to vote,” he added.

    The dam spillage commenced on September 15, 2023, and by October 19, the rising water levels led to flooding in hundreds of homes in the Mepe and Battor regions of the North Tongu District in the Volta Region.

    The floods have resulted in significant property damage, with numerous buildings and assets worth thousands of Ghana Cedis being affected.

    Several organizations have stepped forward to offer assistance to alleviate the suffering of flood victims.

    Victims of the Akosombo dam spillage

    Notably, the Vodafone Ghana Foundation, in collaboration with its dedicated employees, conducted a visit to affected areas in Mepe within the Volta Region and Asuogyaman in the Eastern Region. They generously contributed relief items, including camp tents, treated mosquito nets, student mattresses, food supplies, and clean water.

    Furthermore, the United States government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided a substantial amount of $100,000 (equivalent to GH¢1.1 million) to support over 31,000 people displaced by recent flooding.

    Donations made to Akosombo dam spillage victims

    This U.S. aid will facilitate the Ghanaian government’s relief initiatives, aimed at saving lives, alleviating suffering, and initiating the recovery process.

    Meanwhile, the Volta River Authority (VRA) on October 30, 2023, ended the controlled spillage of the Akosombo dam.

  • Provisional voters register to be exhibited from Nov 3

    Provisional voters register to be exhibited from Nov 3

    The Electoral Commission (EC) is scheduled to conduct an exhibition of the provisional voters register in preparation for the District Level Elections (DLE).

    The exhibition is set to take place from Friday, November 3, 2023, to Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

    This exercise will occur at all 38,622 polling stations nationwide, running from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. It serves the purpose of allowing prospective voters to review their details, which include their name, age, gender, and designated polling station.

    Additionally, voters have the opportunity to request amendments or inclusions where necessary.

    During the exhibition, voters can raise objections to the names of unqualified individuals on the register and also request the removal of names belonging to deceased persons.

    These details were shared by Deputy Chair of the EC, Samuel Tettey, during a press conference held in Accra on Wednesday.

    “As part of the commission’s preparation towards the conduct of the district level elections slated for 19 November 2023, the commission will display or exhibit the provisional voters register at all the 38,622 polling stations across the country. The Commission will therefore exhibit the provisional voters register simultaneously at all polling stations which will serve as exhibition centres throughout the country from Friday 3rd November to Tuesday 7th November 2023.”

    “The exhibition exercise will start at 7  a.m. and end at 6  p.m. throughout the exercise. The purpose of the exhibition exercise is to allow prospective voters to verify details. That is name, age, sex, etc as captured during the registration exercise, and make requests for amendments or insertions where necessary. It will also help voters to know their polling stations on the day of voting,” he stated.

  • Parliament to be briefed on limited registration exercise by EC next week

    Parliament to be briefed on limited registration exercise by EC next week

    The Electoral Commission’s (EC) Chairperson, Jean Mensa, is set to make an appearance in Parliament on November 8 to deliver an update regarding the recently completed limited voter registration exercise.

    The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, made this announcement and also revealed that the EC chief would address the House next week concerning electoral issues.

    Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of hearing from the EC before passing judgments on these matters.

    “Mr Speaker, [Alban Bagbin] pursuant to order 44, the leadership of the business committee proposed that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, be invited to attend upon the house [on] November 8, 2023, at a close sitting to brief members of the house on matters arising from the recently held limited voter registration exercise undertaken by the commission and other related matters.

    “Of course, it wasn’t necessary to castigate the EC when you have not heard from them, it was unnecessary,” the Majority Leader said.

    The voter registration process, which commenced on September 12 and concluded on October 2, resulted in the registration of over 600,000 new voters.

    The Minority in Parliament voiced their disapproval of the Electoral Commission’s choice to restrict registration to district offices. They argued that this decision imposed an additional financial burden on Members of Parliament.

    The EC’s decision to confine registration centers to district offices faced backlash from the public, including the opposition NDC and civil society organizations, who advocated for more accessible registration locations.

    Despite the calls for a change in approach, the Electoral Commission adhered to its original plan and successfully concluded the registration at district offices by October 2, 2023, without granting an extension.

  • We are establishing only 1 constituency and not 25 – EC clarifies

    We are establishing only 1 constituency and not 25 – EC clarifies

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has taken a stand to refute media reports suggesting that it has submitted a Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) to parliament for the creation of 25 new constituencies alongside the existing 275.

    In a recent interview with GhanaWeb conducted on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, the Deputy Commissioner of the EC in charge of Corporate Services, addressed the issue of misreporting by certain media outlets.

    Dr. Asare provided clarification, emphasizing that the EC’s submission to parliament pertains to the establishment of only one new constituency, which is the Guan Constituency.

    This newly proposed constituency is intended to serve the Santrokofi, Akpafu, Lipke, and Lolobi (SALL) Traditional Areas.

    “… we have never said that (creating 25 constituencies) anywhere. But what we have only said is that we are creating the Guan Constituency, in the Oti Region to increase the numbers from 275 to 276.

    “The report is misleading. It is intended to deceive the people and cause either disaffection or over-affection for the EC,” he added.

    The Deputy Commissioner of the EC emphasized once more that, at no juncture, has the commission made any statement about the creation of an additional 25 constituencies.

    In a prior interview conducted with Accra-based TV3, Dr. Bossman Asare is reported to have stated,

    “We are in the process of creating some new constituencies and Guan District is one of them. If not because parliament is on recess, we should have started the process in parliament”.

  • We lose GHC25m whenever it rains – ECG MD

    We lose GHC25m whenever it rains – ECG MD

    The Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Samuel Dubik Mahama, has disclosed the influence of weather patterns and seasonal variations on electricity sales and revenue.

    He stated that whenever it rains anywhere in the country, ECG experiences a loss of approximately GH¢25 million because electricity consumption tends to decline during cold weather.

    In an interview on JoyNews’ PM Express on Monday, he said: “Before the rainy season set in, ECG was averaging between GH¢40 and GH¢50 million a day. Now any day that you see rain, note that we’re down by GH¢25 million.”

    He added, “We plan all-year round with the same tariff. In certain parts of the world the tariff is not flat. When its cold, it varies from when it is hot and they find a way to balance it out. But we have a tariff that runs all year without considering the down periods.

    “So clearly consumption will be less during these periods and definitely revenue collected will not be adequate enough to cover the shortfalls. It is about how people live, and how buildings are constructed. With most people, they are comfortable with just the fresh air, they are fine and they are not going to consume a lot because everybody is actually on the path on conservation.”

    Mr Mahama made this revelation while discussing the topic “The Big Power Debate: The High Cost of Keeping the Lights On.”

    He revealed that rainfall disrupts revenue collection by making meter reading and other operational activities more challenging. Nonetheless, he offered assurance that ECG remains committed to eventually recovering the outstanding amounts from its customers.

    “The truth of the matter is whatever is consumed I’ll still collect it along the line, but that particular day that it has rained, I may be unable to collect monies owed me by customers,” he said.

    In recent days, Ghanaians have encountered intermittent power outages, with the most recent one attributed to a shortage of gas for the power facilities in Tema and Takoradi.

    The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), responsible for receiving gas from the West African Gas Pipeline Company for subsequent distribution to the power plants, has denied responsibility.

    Instead, it has pointed the finger at ECG, alleging that ECG’s failure to settle its debt with the West Africa Gas Pipeline Company is the cause of the gas supply issue.

  • Criticise our work objectively, avoid insults and falsehood – EC tells public

    Criticise our work objectively, avoid insults and falsehood – EC tells public

    The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mrs. Jean Mensa, has expressed a willingness to embrace public scrutiny and critique of the EC’s activities, particularly in the lead-up to the critical 2024 election.

    However, she emphasizes that such scrutiny should be characterized by objectivity and candor. Mrs. Mensa believes that this approach is crucial for maintaining national peace, security, and the continued health of the country’s democracy.

    “We at the EC are not above scrutiny. Scrutinise and critique our work as your role requires but do so with objectivity. Criticisms laced with insults and falsehood should be beneath you,” she told members of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on Sunday.

    This statement was delivered as a keynote address during the 27th GJAAwards ceremony, which took place at the Accra International Conference Centre. The event’s theme was “Harnessing Media Freedom to Safeguard the Democratic and Security Framework: Assessing the Integrity of the 2024 Election.”

    The Chairperson of the EC, Mrs. Jean Mensa, emphasized that the forthcoming 2024 Election carries significant importance, as its outcome has the potential to either enhance or jeopardize the nation’s peace and security.

    “We are partners in this quest to build our nation. We should put our nation first and work to ensure that irrespective of our political divide, our actions and activities inure to the benefit of our dear country.”

    Consequently, she urged the media to be well-informed about the intricate balance they need to maintain in order to protect Ghana’s democracy, peace, and unity.

    “The 2024 Election will be more than democratic exercise, it is the test of our nation’s resilience.”

    “As journalists, you’ll play a crucial role in building up that resilience. You’re the ears, eyes and hearts of the citizens,” she said.

    The role of journalists could either impact the nation positively or negatively, Mrs Mensa said, and called for the truth to be upheld at all times.

    “Ensure that your work goes beyond mere rhetoric to practising responsible journalism”, she admonished and acknowledged the pioneering role the media had played in shaping and shepherding the nation’s democracy over the years.

    The Chairperson of the EC strongly criticized certain media organizations for serving as conduits for disseminating propaganda, propagating false information, and thereby dividing the population along political party lines. She emphasized the need for the media to fulfill their duty by prioritizing transparency, truth, and accuracy.

    “Your work as journalists will impact positively or negatively on our dear nation. As the Fourth Estate, you’re not only facets of our democracy, you’re its bedrock, beacon of truth.”

    “You’re the guardians of transparency. You’re the vanguard for freedom, catalyst for informing and shaping public debate.”

    She pointed out that the National Media Commission should enforce rigorous adherence to media ethics and establish standards to uphold truth and respect, while taking punitive measures against those who violate the rules and regulations. In addition, she stressed the importance of citizens being discerning and consistently seeking the truth from the media.

    “The power of the pen is unmatched and, therefore, must always engage in fact-checking of every information received thoroughly to avoid misinforming the public.”

    In all, 34 awards were presented to journalists and media organisations for exceptional reporting and excellent work, with Mr Erasmus Asare Donkor, a Broadcast Journalist with Multimedia Group, being crowned the Journalist of the Year.

  • Activities slated for EC’s District Level Elections

    Activities slated for EC’s District Level Elections

    The Electoral Commission (EC) is set to initiate a series of stakeholder engagements involving women, civil society organizations (CSOs), and people with disabilities (PWDs) at national, regional, and district levels.

    These engagements will take place from November 4 to 8, 2023, with the aim of educating and mobilizing all relevant stakeholders for the upcoming District Level Elections (DLEs) scheduled for December 19.

    The DLEs will determine the assembly and Unit Committee members in various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies across Ghana.

    These elections will occur in 6,272 electoral areas and 38,622 polling stations spread across 259 districts.

    Notably, no elections will be conducted in the Nkoranza North and South districts in the Bono East region, as their polls took place in April 2020, and the next election for both districts is slated for 2025.

    The EC has outlined a comprehensive timetable for the 2023 DLEs. Aspirants can submit their nominations on November 16 and 17, 2023, while the notice of poll for the elections will be posted between November 29 and December 4, 2023.

    From December 1 to 14, 2023, an electoral platform will be provided for candidates to communicate their messages to the electorate, culminating in the actual elections on December 19, 2023.

    To ensure the accuracy of the voter register, the EC has scheduled a nationwide voter exhibition exercise from November 3 to 9, 2023, spanning all 38,622 polling stations. Register authentication will be conducted between November 24 and 28, 2023.

    Several activities leading up to the DLEs have already occurred, including the voter registration exercise (September 2 to October 2, 2023), transfer of votes (October 3 to 9, 2023), and replacement of lost voter identification cards.

    The DLEs are held every four years, with a one-year gap between the local-level elections and the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

    This electoral practice aims to promote greater citizen involvement in the democratic process, consistent with the Local Governance Act 2016 (Act 936), as amended by Act 940.

  • CPP opposes prosecution of individuals abusing EC’s guarantor system

    CPP opposes prosecution of individuals abusing EC’s guarantor system

    The Convention People’s Party (CPP) has issued an appeal to the Electoral Commission (EC) not to pursue legal action against individuals who acted as guarantors for more than ten applicants during the recently concluded Limited Voter Registration exercise.

    The party contends that prosecuting those who abused the guarantor system would be unproductive. The CPP criticized the EC for not implementing safeguards within its registration systems to prevent individuals from guaranteeing for more than ten applicants during the registration process.

    Speaking during a press conference in Accra, Nana Frimpomaa Sarpong Kumankumah, the Chairperson and Leader of the CPP, emphasized that the EC should bear responsibility for the vulnerabilities in the registration system and should utilize technology to rectify these issues.

    On Tuesday, the EC had announced its intention to prosecute those who had guaranteed for more than ten applicants in violation of the registration law. Furthermore, the identities of such individuals would be publicly disclosed.

    According to the registration law, eligible applicants without a Ghana Card or a Ghana Passport, which could establish their Ghanaian citizenship, were required to present two registered voters to vouch for their citizenship and age.

    Nana Frimpomaa mentioned that it would be unjust for the EC to publicly disclose the identities of individuals who exceeded the limit of guaranteeing for more than 10 applicants.

    She contended that some of those who committed this violation might genuinely be unaware of the registration law. Therefore, the Commission should have implemented preventative measures to mitigate such abuses.

    “All EC could have done was to ensure that by the time the guarantor hits the tenth guarantee, that system should have refused the 11th one. That is how simple technology is supposed to be.  

    “If the system allowed the person to go beyond the 10th application, that lapse is not the individual; that lapse is with the EC,” she argued. 

  • Names of guarantors who breached rules in just-ended Limited Voter Registration to be made public – EC

    Names of guarantors who breached rules in just-ended Limited Voter Registration to be made public – EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced its intention to publicly disclose the identities of guarantors who violated the regulations during the recent limited voter registration exercise.

    The commission firmly condemns these violations and is committed to taking action against those responsible.

    Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, October 17, Deputy Commissioner Samuel Tetteh emphasized the EC’s determination to register all eligible voters while holding a zero-tolerance stance towards any illegal activities.

    During the limited registration period, which occurred in September and concluded on Monday, October 2, across all 268 district offices of the commission, a total of 910,996 voters were registered.

    The Ashanti Region had the highest number of registrants, accounting for approximately 16% of the total, while the Savannah Region had the lowest, representing only 2%.

    Mr. Tetteh urged the government to provide funding to the National Identification Authority (NIA) to facilitate the issuance of the Ghana Card to all citizens.

    Additionally, he called upon Parliament to approve the Constitutional Instrument (CI) that would designate the Ghana Card as the sole identification document for voter registration.

    He said “On the guarantor system the commission is of the view that under our current circumstances, the guarantor system has outlived its usefulness and cannot be maintained. The best proof of a person’s citizenship in Ghana is the Ghana Card.

    “The use of the guarantor system is fraught with blatant abuse as witnessed in the just-ended voter registration exercise. Most countries in the subregion like Nigeria, South Africa,  Senegal, Rwanda and Kenya do not use the guarantor system as evidence of identification. If, indeed, we are committed to strengthening our electoral processes then the guarantor system must be abolished sooner than later.

    “We call on the government to fund NIA, additionally, we entreat parliament to pass the CI on the registration of voters. The Commission appalls the encouragement of minors to register, this is a crime, it does not augur well for us as a nation and we urge all citizens, and stakeholders to join the commission to solve this problem.”

    He added “The sad part is that these minors were bussed to registration centers by citizens who should know better, this is unpardonable and we once again call on the government to resource NIA  to produce the cards and parliament to approve the CI to enable us to use the Ghana Card as sole means to identify a person’s citizenship.”

    Mr. Tetteh emphasized, “We call on the government to fund the NIA, and we implore Parliament to pass the CI on voter registration. The Commission strongly disapproves of the registration of minors, which is a crime and detrimental to our nation. We urge all citizens and stakeholders to collaborate with the commission to address this issue.”

    He further added, “What is disheartening is that these minors were transported to registration centers by individuals who should have known better. This is inexcusable, and we once again call on the government to support the NIA in card production, and Parliament to approve the CI, allowing us to use the Ghana Card as the sole means of verifying citizenship.”

    The EC has informed the public that guarantors who violated the law by vouching for more than 10 applicants will face consequences. Their names will be published in national newspapers, and they will be prosecuted.

    While the commission is committed to registering all eligible applicants, it will not overlook individuals who violate its rules.

  • EC used guesswork for limited voter registration exercise – Asiedu Nketiah

    Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Asiedu Nketiah, says the Electoral Commission (EC) abandoned scientific knowledge for guesswork for the just-ended Limited Voter Registration Exercise.

    He made this statement in relation to the target set by the Commission for the 21-day exercise.

    The Commission’s objective was to register approximately 1,350,000 individuals on the electoral roll. However, the EC indicated that it did not anticipate registering all 1,350,000 targeted individuals within the 21-day registration period.

    As such, the Commission revised their target to approximately 700,000, which accounts for 52 percent of the original goal.

    During a press conference held in Accra to provide an update on the ongoing registration process, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the EC, stated that as of the 16th day of the registration exercise, the Commission had registered 673,276 new voters.

    “The Commission is within a striking distance of the targeted 700,000 persons to be registered in this exercise,” he said.

    Reacting to this in an interview on JoyNews, Mr Asiedu Nketiah noted that the target set by the EC was unwarranted as the Commission does not hold census in the country.

    According to the NDC Chair, the Commission should have relied on data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) and not some sort of “guesswork”.

    “We stated in the past that this cannot count as a good registration exercise. Who set the target? Why should the EC set the target. Based on what? The constitution says that register every Ghanaian 18 years and above can participate in all elections.

    “Are you not the one who determines the number of Ghanaians who are 18 years and above? Is the Electoral Commission the one that does the census in Ghana? There is a body that conducts population census and the figure they have tells you that those are 18 years and above, this is their number and you go there setting targets unrelated to the population census figures.

    “So what is the basis of setting the target if you keep revising it? They started setting a target of 1.5 million. Somewhere in the middle, they said they have revised it to 750,000 and so on. So it’s like some guesswork. They are using guesswork in running the place,” he said.

    On Monday, October 2, the limited voter registration exer­cise by the Electoral Commission (EC) ended across all 268 district offices of the commission.

    But some political parties are calling on the Electoral Commission to extend the exercise.

  • Extend limited voter registration exercise – NDC to EC

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has made an appeal to the Electoral Commission (EC) to consider extending the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

    This request stems from challenges faced by the Commission, which have hindered some eligible voters from registering.

    The EC initiated the voter registration exercise across all district offices in September, with the scheduled end date being today, October 2. During a recent press briefing, the EC announced that it had successfully registered over 600,000 eligible voters.

    Nevertheless, Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, Mustapha Gbande, emphasized the importance of ensuring that all eligible applicants have the opportunity to register before the exercise concludes.

    He pointed out that in some registration centers, people have waited in queues for days, and it is crucial that they are given the chance to register within the allotted timeframe.

    “If you go to some centres, there are people who have been there in the last four days trying to register, and they have taken care of their own feeding and accommodation and one would expect that the EC would have a space for these people to be registered at least before the exercise comes to an end. So we expect that there should be places where they bring in more machines and workforce to ensure that they finish the people in the queue without having to send them back home.”

    “If you go to a place like Asuogyaman, people have been in queues in the last four days, and the arrangements they have there is that you come and write your name and when it is time, then you come and register and so all these people assume that they are in a queue.”

  • Extend limited voter registration for peace to prevail in Bawku – CODEO to EC

    The National Coordinator of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), Albert Arhin, has made an appeal to the Electoral Commission (EC) to consider extending the limited voter registration exercise in the Bawku Municipality, located in the Upper East Region.

    Mr Arhin emphasized that such an extension could contribute to the stabilization of the tense situation in Bawku.

    In an interview conducted on Joy FM’s Top Story on Friday, September 29, Albert Arhin suggested that during the extension period, the Electoral Commission should ensure an adequate supply of registration machines.

    This, he explained, would allow for the establishment of additional registration centers, facilitating the participation of eligible voters and enabling them to exercise their democratic rights.

    “I will advise that since the registration ends on October 2, the EC can extend it for peace to prevail,” he suggested.

    These remarks from Albert Arhin come in response to the Electoral Commission’s decision to halt the limited voter registration exercise in the area, which was prompted by escalating tensions. Reports suggest that the suspension is a result of disputes between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    JoyNews received confirmation of this incident from Williams Obeng Darkwa, the Upper East Regional Director of the Electoral Commission. Although Darkwa acknowledged the suspension, he cited security concerns as the primary factor behind the decision and refrained from elaborating on the specific issues that led to the suspension.

    “On point of service, we had little misunderstanding among active political players and therefore in the name of peace, we thought it was unsafe for our personnel and equipment to be exposed. Therefore, we had to put it on hold,” he told JoyNews.

    According to Williams Obeng Darkwa, despite the current state of calm in the area, he is still awaiting approval from higher authorities in Accra to proceed with the voter registration process. However, the Electoral Commission (EC) has declined to resume the process because the two political parties could not come to an agreement on a roadmap for the continuation of voter registration.

    Specifically, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) did not sign the agreement document.

    Mr Albert Arhin, in response, suggests that given the discontent among Bawku constituents due to the suspension of the exercise, the EC should consider extending it and registering people in additional centers as a means of appeasement.

  • EC optimistic of achieving its limited voter registration target

    The Electoral Commission (EC) announced on Thursday that it is making progress toward achieving its limited voter registration goal. 

    The Commission’s objective is to register approximately 1,350,000 individuals on the electoral roll.

    However, the EC had previously indicated that it did not anticipate registering all 1,350,000 targeted individuals within the 21-day registration period. They revised their target to approximately 700,000, which accounts for 52 percent of the original goal.

    During a press conference held in Accra to provide an update on the ongoing registration process, Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services at the EC, stated that the Commission is making steady progress towards achieving its revised 52 percent target. As of the 16th day of the registration exercise, the Commission had registered 673,276 new voters.

    “The Commission is within a striking distance of the targeted 700,000 persons to be registered in this exercise,” he said.

    Dr. Asare provided regional breakdowns of the registration figures, with the Ashanti Region recording the highest number at 111,593 (16.6 percent), while the Savannah Region reported the lowest figure of 16,045 (2.4 percent). Other regional statistics include:

    – Western Region: 42,269 (6.3 percent)

    – Western North Region: 22,386 (3.3 percent)

    – Central Region: 63,228 (9.4 percent)

    – Greater Accra Region: 90,099 (13.4 percent)

    – Volta Region: 43,099 (6.4 percent)

    – Oti Region: 18,468 (2.7 percent)

    – Eastern Region: 69,597 (10.3 percent)

    – Bono Region: 23,365 (3.5 percent)

    – Ahafo Region: 17,210 (2.6 percent)

    – Bono East Region: 28,687 (4.3 percent)

    – Northern Region: 52,410 (7.8 percent)

    – North-East Region: 17,692 (2.6 percent)

    – Upper East Region: 33,778 (5 percent)

    – Upper West Region: 23,350 (3.5 percent)

    Dr. Asare emphasized the Commission’s commitment to registering all eligible Ghanaians and mentioned that they have increased the number of registration stations within their district offices to accommodate the high turnout and expedite the process. 

    Furthermore, the Commission plans to conduct a continuous registration exercise at all district offices in 2024 to enable individuals who were unable to register during this year’s exercise to do so.

    “We will roll out another round of limited continuous registration in 2024 in our district offices and register people in the difficult-to-reach communities and selected electoral areas. 

    “We reiterate that it is not our intention to disenfranchise anyone,” he said.

    Dr Asare also said that the commission had set October 3, 2023, for the replacement of misplaced voter ID cards at a fee of GH¢10 across its district offices. 

    “The payment is through a short code that will be made available to the public very, very soon,” he said, adding that, this was to make it easier for the public. 

    Individuals who wish to transfer their voting registration to different districts will have the opportunity to do so between October 3 and October 9, 2023, at all Electoral Commission (EC) district offices.

    Dr. Asare provided assurance that the EC would persist in enhancing its systems to prevent the registration of ineligible voters, including minors and foreigners.

    “As a Commission, we are focused on ensuring and maintaining the credibility of the voters’ register. This is the reason behind the proposed new Constitutional Instrument (C.I) which will define the Ghana Card as the sole means of identification for new applicants to register as voters,” he said.

  • We are not bussing minors for limited voter registration – NPP, NDC to EC

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) have distanced themselves from allegations made by the Electoral Commission (EC) suggesting that political parties are encouraging minors and foreigners to participate in the limited voter registration exercise.

    During a press conference held on Thursday, the EC expressed concerns about the involvement of minors and foreigners in the registration process, noting that some members of political parties appeared to be facilitating this through the guarantor system.

    Dr. Bossman Asare, a Deputy Chairperson of the EC, emphasized their commitment to establishing a credible voter register. He pointed out that including the names of unqualified individuals could compromise the integrity of the register.

    However, on the Newsnight program on Joy FM, Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the NDC, countered these allegations. He revealed that many individuals had faced challenges during registration due to suspicions raised by political party agents. These agents were actively challenging registrants to provide documentation to verify their age, part of a concerted effort to ensure that only eligible voters were registered.

    “I think that is an alarmist assessment of the issues…You don’t go accusing political parties when your own officials are the ones administering the process. You have seen NPP people challenging NDC people they suspect and NDC people challenging them. So how do you come out to accuse political parties when the system is running naturally?” he quizzed.

    “NDC dissociate itself from that accusation. We are not bussed minors. We have no involvement in bussing minors. We believe that the procedure, when you walk to the registration centre, you will be taken through a process and that process is by law enough to be able to detect,” Mr Gbande said.

    The Deputy General Secretary of the NDC expressed his disappointment in the Electoral Commission’s decision to exploit the issue as an opportunity to criticize the guarantor system, which allows individuals to vouch for eligible voters who do not possess Ghana Cards, and their attempts to determine people’s ages based on photographs.

    He emphasized that this very system is utilized by the National Identification Authority to grant Ghana Cards to a significant number of Ghanaian citizens.

    On the other hand, Haruna Mohammed, a Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, not only refuted the allegations but also asserted that the NDC was actually supportive of the registration of minors. He pointed to instances where NDC agents were reportedly advocating for the registration of a 14-year-old as evidence of their endorsement of such practices.

    “As a political party we (NPP) are law-abiding we have stated this fact; we are not going to accept the issue of registration of minors. This is clearly stated in Ghana’s constitution that if you don’t attain the age of 18 you should not be registered and we are going to support this particular process”

    “I am happy that the electoral commission is talking about a number of people being challenged I hope that these minors will be the chunk of that,” Mr Mohammed added.

    Additionally, he voiced his support for the Electoral Commission’s call to discontinue the guarantor system, citing it as one of the factors contributing to the sluggishness of the registration process and other associated challenges.

    Mr. Mohammed argued that implementing a more robust system, which exclusively relies on Ghana Cards, would be beneficial in guaranteeing the establishment of a pristine voter register.

  • Over 600,000 new voters captured in limited voter registration within 16 days – EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has reported that 673,276 new voters have been registered in the sixteen days since the limited voter registration exercise began nationwide.

    During a press briefing held on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at the Electoral Commission’s headquarters, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Bossman Asare announced that the registration process has been proceeding smoothly and as per the established plan at its district offices across the country.

    Dr. Asare also reassured the general public that the ongoing registration exercise will not be the sole opportunity for voter registration before the 2024 general elections.

    Plans are in place to conduct another limited registration exercise in selected electoral areas and hard-to-reach regions prior to the polls.

    “We are happy to note that the number of registrations has gone up considerably, and we are currently averaging 50,000 registrations per day since last week and this is very remarkable. To date, we have registered 673,276. The Commission is within a striking distance of the targeted 700,000 persons to be registered in this exercise.”

    “We want to also state emphatically that this is not going to be the last registration exercise before the general elections in 2024. We will roll out another round of continuous registration exercise in 2024 in our district offices and also register people in difficult-to-reach areas in some selected areas.”

    Dr. Asare provided a breakdown of the registration progress, revealing that the Ashanti region had the highest number of individuals registered.

    “Western Region recorded 42,269 representing 6.3 percent; Western North recorded 22,386 representing 3.3 percent; Central registered 63,228 representing 9.4 percent; Greater Accra recorded 90,099 representing 13.4 percent; Volta recorded 43,099 representing 6.4 percent; Oti recorded 18,468 representing 2.7 percent; Eastern region registered 69,597 representing 10.3 percent; Ashanti region registered 111,593 representing 16.6 percent; Bono region registered 23,365 representing 3.5 percent; Ahafo region registered 17,210 representing 2.6 percent; Bono East registered 28,687 representing 4.3 percent’ Savannah recorded 16,045 representing 2.4 percent; Norther registered 52,410 representing 7.8 percent; North East recorded 17,692 representing 2.6 percent; Upper East registered 33,778 representing 5 percent and Upper West region registered 23,350 representing 3.5 percent.”

    The limited voter registration exercise which began on September 12, 2023, will end on October 2.

  • EC makes case for Ghana Card as sole voter identification document

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has strongly advocated for the adoption of the Ghana Card as the exclusive identification document for voter registration.

    During a press conference, Deputy Chairperson of the commission, Dr. Bossman Asare, emphasized that instances of minors and non-citizens exploiting the current guarantor system in the ongoing limited voter registration process highlight the need for a document that can easily verify applicants’ ages and nationality.

    Dr. Asare asserted that relying on the Ghana Card as the sole identification document for voter registration would enhance the credibility of the electoral roll and ensure that only eligible Ghanaian citizens are registered to vote.

    While the EC’s proposal has faced opposition, with concerns about potential disenfranchisement of citizens without Ghana Cards, Dr. Asare reassured the public that the EC is collaborating with the National Identification Authority (NIA) to facilitate access to Ghana Cards for all eligible citizens.

    He called on all stakeholders, including parliament, to support the new Constitutional Instrument aimed at eliminating the guarantor system.

    “He said the EC is working with the National Identification Authority (NIA) to ensure that all eligible Ghanaians have access to Ghana Cards.

    Dr. Asare emphasized that using the Ghana Card as the exclusive identification document is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral roll and upholding the credibility of Ghana’s elections.

  • EC registers 2,517 Krachi East residents in ongoing limited voter registration

    In the second week of the limited registration exercise taking place nationwide, the Electoral Commission (EC) has successfully registered 2,517 eligible voters in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region.

    During a visit to the registration center by the media, Mr. Nelson Kofi Djabab, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) parliamentary candidate, and the parliamentary aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr. Micheal Yaw Gyato, took the opportunity to educate registrants on the significance of obtaining a voter’s identity card.

    They advised individuals who are not yet 18 years old to refrain from participating in the ongoing limited registration exercise.

    Mr. Kafui Klutse, the Municipal Director of the Electoral Commission, praised the impressive cooperation received from the two main political parties since the beginning of the exercise.

    He informed GNA that the turnout had been encouraging and expressed hope for more participants before the exercise’s conclusion.

  • Limited voter registration: All eligible voters will be registered – EC assures

    Limited voter registration: All eligible voters will be registered – EC assures

    Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has provided assurance to the people of Ghana that her organization will not exclude any eligible voters in preparation for the 2024 general elections.

    Mrs. Mensa emphasized that the Commission has implemented the necessary measures to ensure that every qualified voter is included in the EC’s voter register.

    She stressed, “We have heard allegations from various quarters that the commission is seeking to disenfranchise eligible voters. This is false; we have no interest in disenfranchising any eligible person.”

    The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) further revealed that her organization plans to conduct a continuous registration exercise nationwide in the coming year to ensure that all eligible individuals are registered.

    Additionally, Mrs. Mensa stated that the EC would identify areas with limited accessibility and carry out a mop-up registration exercise in those regions.

    She strongly urged Ghanaians to refrain from attempting to register minors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the registration process.

    Mrs. Mensa also called upon the public to assist the commission in addressing the issue of ineligible individuals attempting to enter the registration process, pledging that the EC would make every effort to prevent ineligible voters from being included on the register.

    On September 12, the EC initiated a limited voter registration exercise, aimed at registering citizens who have turned 18 since the previous registration event.

    This 21-day exercise also provides an opportunity for Ghanaians who had not previously registered with the EC to have their names added to the voter list.

    However, since the commencement of the process, some citizens have raised concerns and accused the EC of potentially using the exercise to exclude eligible individuals from participating in the registration.

    Mrs. Mensa, during her presentation at the ‘Let the Citizens Know’ series on Monday, September 18, dismissed these allegations and disclosed that 182,931 Ghanaians had been registered within the first six days of the exercise.

    She reiterated “We do not intend to disenfranchise eligible voters. It is in our interest to register them all.”

    Addressing concerns regarding the Electoral Commission’s decision to utilize its 268 offices for the limited registration exercise, she clarified that the ongoing process is solely an update of the existing voter register.

    “It is not a full-blown registration. It is important to note that this will not be the only registration exercise before the 2024 elections”.

    “In line with our plans to promote an inclusive participatory registration process, we plan to institute continuous registration in all our district offices nationwide in 2024 for a considerable length of time,” Mrs Mensa assured.

  • Ensure persons with disabilities are not disenfranchised – EC told

    Ensure persons with disabilities are not disenfranchised – EC told

    The Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD) has called upon the Electoral Commission (EC) to implement effective measures to prevent the disenfranchisement of individuals with disabilities.

    According to the organisation, the current arrangements by the EC were likely to “exclude many persons with disabilities from participating in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise due to a number of challenges they may face.”  

    In a press release, the Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD) pinpointed concerns related to accessibility, communication, proximity, and the insufficient availability of information for individuals with various physical challenges.

    The ongoing limited voter registration process, which began on September 12 and is set to conclude on October 2, 2023, has so far registered 182,831 new voters within the initial six days.

    However, GFD, leading the advocacy for inclusion, said, “Most of the district offices of the Electoral Commission are not accessible to persons with physical and other disabilities and they may find it difficult or impossible” to get to the offices where the registration was taking place.  

    It further said the EC offices, “just like other state institutions, do not have sign language interpreters.” 

    “This will make it difficult for persons who are deaf and hard of hearing as well as those who are deaf to communicate effectively with registration officials and to receive proper assistance during the registration process. In effect, they are likely not to be part of the process,” the statement noted. 

    The GFD pointed out that certain individuals with disabilities might face challenges in accessing adequate information about the registration exercise due to their geographical location and the methods used to disseminate information.

    “They may not know when or where they can register and as a result, they may miss out on the exercise. For instance, initial awareness videos shown on television about the exercise did not have sign language interpretation to target the deaf community. This means that they even watch the adverts and will not know what is happening,” the GFD said.  

    The organisation added that the limited voter registration could be expensive to persons with disabilities as they might have to “transport themselves and their assistants or assistive/mobility devices such as wheelchairs all the way from their immediate communities to the EC offices.” 

    “Some persons with disabilities may not be able to afford transportation costs, and this may prevent them from participating in the exercise,” it said, urging the Electoral Commission to consider the challenges identified and ensure that persons with disabilities exercised their constitutional right to vote. 

    Furthermore, the organization urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to establish a collaborative partnership with the GFD. This partnership would focus on providing technical assistance and guidance to ensure the full and effective inclusion of all individuals with disabilities in the registration process.

  • Minority goes hard on EC for blaming challenges with Limited Voter Registration on Parliament

    Minority goes hard on EC for blaming challenges with Limited Voter Registration on Parliament

    Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, has vehemently criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) and its Chair, Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa.

    In a blistering response to the recent press conference held by the EC Chair, Agbodza rejected the Commission’s attempt to use Parliament as justification for what he views as an unfair strategy to suppress the number of first-time voters.

    “One of the false, weak, and wishy-washy excuses the EC Chair, Madam Jean Adukwei Mensa, sought to canvass at her press conference to justify the EC’s dogged determination to suppress first-time voters is her claim that the Commission is acting within the constraints of its work-plan and budget as approved by Parliament,” Agbodza stated.

    “Parliament, in considering the Electoral Commission’s budgetary estimates for 2023, its Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) from 2023-2026, and the Electoral Commission’s actual appropriation for 2023, did not take a pesewa out of the Commission’s requests,” he emphasised.

    Mrs. Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), has pointed out that Parliament shares some of the responsibility for the Commission’s difficulties in decentralizing its voter registration process.

    She attributed this challenge to the House’s failure to pass the new Constitutional Instrument (C.I.) that was submitted for approval.

    In addressing the criticisms and concerns surrounding the ongoing limited voter registration exercise, Mrs. Jean Mensa noted that the Commission finds itself in a challenging situation.

    The budget figures presented by Agbodza paint a stark picture. “Indeed, both Appendix 4A (MDA Expenditure Allocation) of the 2023 Budget Statement and the Third Schedule of the Appropriations Act 2022 (Act 1090), as well as the EC’s own Programme-Based Budget Estimates contained in its MTEF, put the EC’s total budget for 2023 at GH₵386,047,606. Out of this figure, the EC budgeted a rounded figure of GH₵56,059,846 for registration of voters in 2023.”

    Mr Agbodza stressed that Parliament approved a generous budget for the Electoral Commission, stating, “It is important to state that the Electoral Commission’s budgetary allocation for 2023 is far more than all the budgetary allocations of the Ministry of Information and its agencies, the National Development Planning Commission, the National Media Commission, the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and the Right to Information Commission, put together.”

    “There can be no justification on the part of an Electoral Commission that is hell-bent on disenfranchising voters by placing strictures and fetters on the inalienable rights of Ghanaians to register to vote in public elections and referenda, instead of implementing programmes to expand that right as it is enjoined by law to do”, the Adaklu MP stated.

    Mr Agbodza had a stern warning to the EC and its Commissioners; “Jean Mensa will not be allowed to use Parliament as a convenient excuse for her lawless conduct, and as representatives of the people, we will soon be demanding accountability from her and the other Commissioners.”

    The voter registration exercise currently taking place at the EC’s district offices nationwide has faced significant criticism from political parties and civil society organizations. They argue that the EC has not provided sufficient justification for confining the exercise to its district offices.

  • EC ceases limited voter registration at Bawku over NDC, NPP feud

    EC ceases limited voter registration at Bawku over NDC, NPP feud

    Tension is escalating in Bawku as the Electoral Commission (EC) has been compelled to halt the limited voter registration process. According to reports, this suspension stems from disputes between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    The Upper East Regional Director of the Commission, Williams Obeng Darkwa, is said to have confirmed the incident to JoyNews. He attributed the decision to security concerns but refrained from elaborating on the specifics of the situation.

    “On point of service, we had little misunderstanding among active political players and therefore in the name of peace, we thought it was unsafe for our personnel and equipment to be exposed. Therefore, we had to put it on hold,” he told JoyNews.

    He mentioned that although the situation in the area has now calmed down, they are still awaiting approval from their superiors in Accra to proceed with the voter registration process.

    When questioned if the dispute had spread to other communities, Mr. Obeng Darkwa responded in the negative.

    “All other communities are smoothly registering people. It is only in the Bawku community that we had a little hiccup but it has resolved and we are waiting for a signal from Accra,” he added.

    As reported, the NDC and the NPP have currently reached a consensus on a roadmap that will facilitate the resumption of voter registration by the EC.

    This agreement has been formulated, and both parties have expressed their initial agreement. The EC is presently awaiting the signatures of party representatives to formalize the agreement.


  • Wa East MP calls on EC for additional registration centre to address accessibility issues

    Wa East MP calls on EC for additional registration centre to address accessibility issues

    The Member of Parliament (MP) representing Wa East, Dr. Godfred Seidu Jasaw, has taken steps to address the accessibility challenges confronting residents of the Wa East District during the ongoing limited voters’ registration exercise.

    He has made an appeal to the Electoral Commission (EC) to consider establishing an additional registration center in a different area within the district that would be more convenient for the over 80% of the district’s population.

    The MP has noted that the current location of the district’s EC office primarily serves the Sissala belt, leaving a substantial portion of the district’s population isolated due to impassable rivers or deteriorated roads leading to the district capital, where the EC office is currently situated.

    “The situation we find ourselves in is a big constraint to us in accessibility and also for the exercise of registering new voters. The Wa East case is a unique one and the capital is in Funsi”

    “Accessing Funsi is a very difficult situation and the road to the place has been cut off by the rivers, so that is our challenge now.”

    “So the choice of district capital for this registration is a huge constraint. So I would like to call on the government and the EC to consider opening a new registration centre for the Wa East District otherwise most eligible voters cannot get the capital and register,” he said. 

    The Member of Parliament’s appeal comes in light of the severely deteriorated state of all roads leading to the district capital, where the Electoral Commission (EC) office is currently situated.

    The MP expressed concern that the dismal road conditions have significantly impeded the ability of citizens to reach the registration center, thereby presenting a substantial barrier to their exercise of democratic rights.

    Following an unsuccessful attempt to reach the EC office due to impassable waters between Yanyuoriyi and the Ambalara bridge, Dr. Jasaw addressed the media and emphasized the pressing need for an additional, more accessible registration center.

    He underscored the principle that no citizen should be disenfranchised because of inadequate road infrastructure. The MP also lamented that the deplorable state of the roads leading to the district office not only hampers the electoral process but also obstructs overall regional development.

    He emphasized that the issue goes beyond the electoral realm and extends to fundamental infrastructural development concerns.

    As a result, the MP is urging the Electoral Commission to take immediate action by establishing an additional registration center that would be easily accessible to the other part of the district, which is currently cut off by rivers and the absence of passable roads. This step is aimed at eliminating the barriers that prevent potential registrants from effectively participating in the democratic process.

  • Guarantors who help register minors, foreigners will be prosecuted – EC

    Guarantors who help register minors, foreigners will be prosecuted – EC

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that it will be going after guarantors who assist minors and non-citizens register to have their names in the voter register.

    According to the EC Chair, Jean Mensa, such individuals will be made to face the full rigor of the law when caught.

    “We use this opportunity to caution guarantors from guaranteeing for minors and non-citizens.

    “In the past, they got away with this. This time, we intend to compile a list of defaulting guarantors and bring them up for prosecution,” she said during a press briefing on September 18.

    The EC today engaged the press to update the public on the Limited Voter Registration Exercise.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) began the limited voter registration exercise in its municipal and district offices nationwide on September 12, 2023.

    The purpose of the exercise is to enroll all citizens who are 18 years and older and of sound mind onto the electoral register, as mandated by the 1992 Constitution. This 21-day registration period is set to conclude on October 2, 2023.

    Meanwhile, the EC notes that a total of 15,000 voters have been expunged from its voter register.

    The Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Mensa, noted that these individuals were found to be ineligible voters, i.e., minors or foreigners.

    “Our experience with the 2020 registration exercise revealed that attempts by minors and foreigners to illegally get on our roll and it took great time, effort, and money to expunge them from our register. In all, we succeeded in deleting the details of 15,000 persons from our register.”

    According to Madam Mensa, this justifies the Commission’s decision to limit the documentation for identifying a person’s citizenship to the Ghana Card for the ongoing exercise.

  • EC accused of voter suppression; NDC wants limited registration modalities reviewed

    EC accused of voter suppression; NDC wants limited registration modalities reviewed

    The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of engaging in voter suppression, asserting that the decision to exclusively conduct the limited voter registration at district offices is not ideal.

    As the voter registration process enters its sixth day on September 18, there have been numerous complaints about various challenges. The Greater Accra Regional Secretary of the NDC, Theophilus Tetteh Chaie, expressed dissatisfaction with the EC’s approach.

    Furthermore, there is mounting pressure on the Electoral Commission to reconsider its methods for the ongoing voter registration exercise.

    Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom, Dr. Adomako Kissi, argued that confining registration to district offices is not the most effective approach.

    In contrast, the National Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party, Salam Mustapha, expressed satisfaction with the first week of the limited voter registration.

    The Electoral Commission commenced the registration on Tuesday, September 12, with the aim of registering first-time voters who have yet to obtain their Voter ID cards.

    Despite opposition from the NDC and certain civil society organizations, the registration process continues to take place exclusively at the district offices of the Electoral Commission throughout the country.

  • Registrants at Achimota EC Office robbed by masked thugs

    Registrants at Achimota EC Office robbed by masked thugs

    Masked assailants reportedly carried out an attack on Ghanaian citizens who were waiting to register for their Voter ID Cards at the Okaikwei North District office of the Electoral Commission in Achimota during the early hours of Sunday morning.

    These attackers disrupted the queue, resulting in injuries to several individuals, before fleeing the scene. Sources close to GhanaWeb revealed that the assailants arrived at the registration center at approximately 5 am. Among the victims was a lactating mother who was struck with a stick.

    Furthermore, the attackers stole money, mobile phones, and other personal belongings from those who were waiting to register.

    In response to this troubling incident, Member of Parliament for Okaikwei North, Theresa Awuni, took to Facebook to voice her concerns.

    She stated, “We come in peace, but I am sending a warning to all the elephant members [referring to NPP] in Okaikwei North that they should not start what they cannot finish. This dawn, my boys were attacked by known NPP thugs, masked up, seized their money, phones, and other items as they queued up at the registration centre. Unfortunately for them, two were arrested. I patiently await the outcome of this arrest because that will determine our next line of action. Mind you, we are very prepared for ANYTHING.”

  • Current Limited Voter Registration puts EC’s dignity in question – Dr Apaak

    Current Limited Voter Registration puts EC’s dignity in question – Dr Apaak

    Member of Parliament for Builsa South Constituency, Clement Abas Apaak, has expressed reservations regarding what he sees as a departure from the Electoral Commission’s (EC) mandated responsibilities.

    He has pointed out that the EC has not followed the prescribed procedures during the ongoing voter registration process.

    Apaak clarified that the EC’s primary duty, as outlined in the nation’s laws, is to facilitate the registration of eligible citizens who are 18 years and older and in sound mental condition at their own convenience.

    “They should be able to register in a manner that is not going to dehumanize them and call their dignity in question.”

    Dr. Apaak stressed that the various problems related to the voter registration process are undermining the rights of Ghanaian citizens and called for these issues to be resolved.

    During an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile program on Saturday, he pointed out the specific difficulties encountered in his own constituency and expressed his disappointment at the challenges in mobilizing eligible youth to register for the upcoming elections.

    The Builsa South MP firmly asserted that the actions of the Electoral Commission were not in compliance with the law.

    “The Electoral Commission is being unlawful, honestly because if you look at the law, the C.I. the constitution, the mandate of the EC itself and the right to vote and the fact that one is entitled to be registered to vote, you juxtapose that with the EC’s posture and what we’re being told, the EC is breaking the law, the EC is being lawless and in fact, the EC is acting contrarily to what the framers of the constitution intended it to do.”

    “The EC seems to have a penchant for imposing their understanding, their interpretation and their perspective of what is a challenge and what is not on we the people who have the constitutional mandate to enjoy the right.

    “You don’t decide whether I should register this time to participate at the district level elections or wait to register later on to participate in the national election. That is not your decision to make. Your job is to make it possible for me to register,” he stressed.

    The Builsa South MP added that it is not too late for the EC to do the right thing and urged them to expand the voter registration by devolving the registration centres from their district offices to other electoral areas.

    “If you are to do that, you will remove many of these impediments”.

  • Kofi Bentil accuses EC of stopping people from registering in Limited Voter Registration Exercise

    Kofi Bentil accuses EC of stopping people from registering in Limited Voter Registration Exercise

    A lawyer and Senior Vice President of IMANI-Africa, Kofi Bentil, has criticized the Electoral Commission (EC), asserting that their actions in the ongoing voter registration process are designed to disenfranchise a significant number of Ghanaians.

    He argued that the EC is constitutionally obligated to expand and implement specific programs and possesses the necessary resources to fulfill these obligations.

    Mr. Bentil clarified during an appearance on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday that the concern goes beyond neglecting responsibilities; it encompasses actively impeding people’s right to register.

    He further emphasized that such deviation from their constitutional mandate could potentially lead to the removal of the Electoral Commissioners from their positions.

    “In omission and commission, it’s not a matter of just omitting, like they are not doing anything, the suggestion is that there will be problems with people exercising their rights to register.”

    “The EC was set up to take away those problems, clear the way and create situations that will enable people to register. So they should actually do things, commit actions that will expand registration,” he said.

    Mr Bentil maintained that “in this case, if you are not doing it at all, then you are omitting to do your job but as far as I’m concerned, they are actually taking steps, committing actions to stop people from registering which is directly against what they are to do.”

    He criticised the utilisation of state resources to undermine public policy objectives, saying “We should all be minded when we do some of these things.”

    The statement from the IMANI-Africa Vice President comes in response to the Electoral Commission’s announcement that the voter registration process would exclusively occur at its district offices nationwide.

    However, this decision has faced opposition from numerous political parties.

    On Thursday, September 7, the National Democratic Congress, along with four other political parties, initiated legal action against the EC due to its insistence on conducting the 2023 limited voter registration exclusively at its district offices.

    The Convention People’s Party, All People’s Congress, Liberal Party of Ghana, and the Great Consolidated Popular Party also joined the suit, arguing that this decision could disenfranchise many eligible voters.

    Consequently, they have petitioned the Supreme Court to halt the electoral management body from proceeding with the exercise until the substantive matter is definitively resolved.

  • Taking limited voter registration exercise to electoral areas will affect sanctity of voters’ register – EC

    Taking limited voter registration exercise to electoral areas will affect sanctity of voters’ register – EC

    The Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Serebuor Quaicoe, has emphasized that the Electoral Commission’s primary responsibility is to safeguard the integrity of the voters’ register.

    He noted that those advocating for the extension of the limited voters’ registration process from district offices to electoral areas are primarily focused on boosting the number of new registrants, rather than upholding the integrity of the register.

    Dr. Quaicoe pointed out that district offices are better equipped to ensure the maintenance of a clean and accurate voters’ register.

    “For the media and the CSOs, your attention is register them, register them, register them, that is the focus of the media and the CSOs. And probably that may be the reason why maybe you’re quoting my chair, at that time she was a CSO. But when you come into the kitchen that is where you see that your responsibility changes.

    “The thinking of the Commission is that it is to register people and also to protect the sanctity of the register. That is very, very important that nobody is talking about. You’re going to compile voters’ register that would be used to determine who leads Ghana in all fronts. What goes into the register should be something that should not bring about issues,” he said.

    The Electoral Commission has faced serious backlash from political parties, civil society organisations and the general public for its insistence on carrying out the limited voters’ registration in the district offices only.

    According to those opposing the EC’s actions, the inaccessibility of the district offices and the cost of transportation among others are some reasons why the exercise must be further decentralized to the electoral areas.

    But Dr. Serebuor Quaicoe says the ongoing district registrations are geared towards the upcoming district level elections.

    He explained that while the ongoing registration will be limited to the district offices, next year, the commission will roll out another registration exercise that will be held in the electoral areas.

    He said, “we are revising the register to give those who have turned 18 years who want to take part in the district level election to get the opportunity to register  so that next year we can now go out fully with the continuous voters register.”

  • Mahama criticises EC over network challenge, congestion in voter registration exercise

    Mahama criticises EC over network challenge, congestion in voter registration exercise

    Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to take immediate measures to resolve network issues and congestion occurring during the current limited voter registration exercise.

    The former president issued this request following his visit to the EC headquarters to evaluate the registration process.

    “This is day 4 of the exercise, and we have been receiving reports from the various district offices,” he said. “Today, I decided to go around and see for myself. I understand there are five districts here, and there’s a lot of congestion.

    “People are coming from all over to register at one point. The second thing I have noticed, and the complaint, is that the network is not strong. And so they are not able to use the instant online registration. And so they are capturing some data offline. The danger is that sometimes there’s a repeat of somebody’s name, not of his/hers.”

    Mahama has appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to engage in discussions with telecommunications companies to address the network congestion issues, ensuring a smoother and faster registration process.

    Additionally, he has urged the EC to contemplate expanding the registration exercise to additional centers in order to alleviate the problem of overcrowding.

    “I have spoken to many of the young people who have turned 18 years, and they don’t have Ghana cards,” he said. “It means that if we had insisted on the Ghana Card as the only means of registration, it means all these young people I have seen would not have been able to register.”

    Mahama’s call comes amid concerns from stakeholders about the smooth and efficient conduct of the limited voter registration exercise.

    The EC has been criticized for its handling of the exercise, with some accusing the body of failing to adequately prepare for the high demand for registration.

  • ‘Autocratic’ Jean Mensa must listen to prevent a coup – Ablakwa on EC’s limited voter registration exercise

    ‘Autocratic’ Jean Mensa must listen to prevent a coup – Ablakwa on EC’s limited voter registration exercise

    Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has issued a warning to the Electoral Commission (EC) regarding its voter registration process, expressing concerns that it could jeopardize the nation’s progress in upholding democracy.

    Mr Ablakwa criticized the EC’s choice to limit the registration to its district offices, deeming it undemocratic and potentially leading to the exclusion of numerous eligible voters.

    He noted that disenfranchising voters is what has led to the tumbling of many democratic governments in Africa, hence such an approach may not augur well for the country.

    “All of us don’t want coups to happen in our jurisdictions,” Ablakwa said. “But you see when public officials refuse to learn, it results in coups. The Gabon coup is an example and has ended in the disruption of their democracy. And we don’t want that in Ghana.”

    “Look at the anger and outrage that the youth feel about these policies of Jean Mensa, Very autocratic, very undemocratic, no consultation whatsoever. And she is going ahead.”

    In light of this, Mr Ablakwa has urged the Electoral Commission to engage in consultations with all relevant stakeholders regarding the ongoing voter registration process. Additionally, he encouraged the youth to actively register to vote and emphasized their role in holding the EC accountable should any registration issues arise.

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has instructed its officials to resort to offline voter registration if they encounter challenges with the online registration system during the ongoing Limited Voter Registration exercise.

    This directive comes in response to reports of network connectivity issues associated with the online registration system, which caused delays in the registration process at certain centers on Tuesday morning.

    The EC had previously clarified that the online registration system was designed to promptly identify instances of double registration at the registration point.

    Dr Serebour Quaicoe, Director of Electoral Services at the EC, told the media Tuesday evening that there were “initial hitches” with the system on the first day.

    He said the situation would normalise as the exercise progressed.

    “We have asked them (officers) to switch offline if they encounter challenges.

    “All those registered offline, the system will review their identities and if their names appear on the multiple list they will not vote,” Dr Quaicoe said.

    Dr. Quaicoe reported that the registration process proceeded relatively smoothly, with the exception of rain-related disruptions in many regions of the country.

    The registration, as mandated by Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution, is currently taking place at the Commission’s 268 District Offices.

    Although the registration was initially scheduled to begin at 0800 hours, there were delays in connecting to the EC’s online registration system at some of the centers monitored according to reports.
    As a result, the registration process commenced as late as in certain centers.

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has began its Limited Voters Registration Exercise to enable eligible Ghanaians who are 18 years and above to register for a Voters ID card.

    The exercise commenced on Tuesday, 12th September and its expected to end on 2nd October, 2023.

    Eligible citizens are to carry along their Ghana Card or Ghana Passport as identification for registration purposes.

    This exercise will be carried out across all 268 District Offices of the Electoral Commission.

  • EC officers directed to register new voters offline over challenges with online registration system

    EC officers directed to register new voters offline over challenges with online registration system

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has instructed its personnel to resort to offline voter registration if they encounter difficulties with the online registration system during the ongoing Limited Voter Registration campaign.

    This decision comes in response to reports of network connectivity issues affecting the online registration system, leading to delays in the registration process at certain centers on Tuesday morning.

    The EC had initially stated that the online registration system would enable the immediate detection of double registration during the registration process.

    Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the Director of Electoral Services at the EC, explained to the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday evening that there were some “initial hitches” with the system on the first day but assured that the situation would improve as the exercise continued.

    “We have asked them (officers) to switch offline if they encounter challenges.

    “All those registered offline, the system will review their identities and if their names appear on the multiple list they will not vote,” Dr Quaicoe said.

    Dr. Quaicoe noted that, in general, the registration process went smoothly, with the exception of disruptions caused by rainfall in many parts of the country.

    The registration, in compliance with Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution, is currently taking place at the 268 District Offices of the Electoral Commission.

    Although registration was scheduled to commence at 0800 hours, some centers experienced delays in connecting to the EC’s online registration system. In certain monitored centers, the exercise did not commence until as late as 1000 hours.

    The registration will continue until October 2, 2023.

  • Alliance between EC and NPP ‘unholy’, threat to our democracy – NDC

    Alliance between EC and NPP ‘unholy’, threat to our democracy – NDC

    Deputy Constituency Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Anyaa Sowuttuom, Ralph Apetorgbor, has alleged that the Electoral Commission is closely aligned with the current government.

    He has argued that the Electoral Commission’s refusal to address concerns and appeals to open up the ongoing limited voter registration process poses a significant threat to the nation’s governance.

    In a Facebook post on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, coinciding with the commencement of the limited registration exercise nationwide, Ralph Apetorgbor emphasized that this stance taken by the EC should be a cause for concern for everyone, both within and beyond the country’s borders.

    “The unholy alliance between Jean Mensa’s EC and the NPP is a threat to our democracy. The EC’s decision to ignore the call by political parties to open up the limited registration process to be conducted at the electoral areas is a testament that Jean Mansa and her commissioners are ‘inside the deepest corner of Nana Akufo-Addo’s pocket.’

    “Ghanaians and the international community should be worried! No wonder the EC is a monumental disgrace,” he wrote.

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana has officially commenced a limited voter registration exercise, effective today, September 12, 2023, at all its regional offices nationwide.

    This registration process, characterized by criticism regarding its design, is scheduled to conclude on October 2, 2023.

  • Bawumia calls on eligible Ghanaians to participate in limited voters’ registration exercise

    Bawumia calls on eligible Ghanaians to participate in limited voters’ registration exercise

    Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has issued a call to eligible Ghanaian voters, including those who have recently turned 18 and adults who have yet to register, to make use of the Limited Voter Registration exercise, which commenced on Tuesday, September 12.

    This registration process is being carried out at all Electoral Commission district offices across the country. Dr. Bawumia emphasized that the essential right to vote begins with the responsibility of registering with the Electoral Commission (EC) and encouraged citizens to actively participate in this process to ensure their eligibility for the forthcoming 2024 elections.

    Dr. Bawumia conveyed this message via a Facebook post, highlighting the importance of civic engagement and the role of voter registration in enabling citizens to exercise their democratic right to vote.

    “The right to vote starts with the responsibility of registering with the Electoral Commission (EC).

    I urge citizens just turned 18 years old or adults of voting age who have not yet registered to take advantage of the registration exercise starting today, September 12, across all EC district offices and register,” he wrote.

    Despite facing an injunction application from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and four other political parties, the Electoral Commission is proceeding with the Limited Voters Registration Exercise that started on September 12.

    This registration is taking place at all 268 District Offices. According to the EC, the exercise is scheduled to continue until October 2, 2023.

    Eligible individuals who have turned 18 since the last registration in 2020 or those who did not register for various reasons are encouraged to visit their District Office of residence.

    To register, they will need either their Ghana Card or Ghana Passport for identification. In cases where eligible applicants do not possess these identification documents, they can be vouched for by two registered voters to facilitate their registration.

    The five political parties, which include the NDC, CPP, All People’s Congress, Liberal Party of Ghana, and Great Consolidated Popular Party, filed a lawsuit on September 7 challenging the EC’s decision to limit the voter registration exercise to its district offices.

    Their argument centers on the concern that this decision may disenfranchise numerous eligible voters, particularly those in remote areas.

  • EC begins limited voters’ registration exercise today

    EC begins limited voters’ registration exercise today

    The Electoral Commission’s (EC) Limited Voters Registration Exercise is set to commence today, on Tuesday, September 12.

    This exercise will be carried out across all 268 District Offices of the EC and is slated to conclude on Monday, October 2.

    This decision to conduct the registration at the district offices has sparked disagreement, as some opposition political parties have taken legal action in the form of an injunction application against the EC.

    Their argument revolves around the concern that this approach may disenfranchise numerous young voters, particularly those residing in rural areas.

    Additionally, the EC has issued a directive stating that individuals who have reached the age of 18 since the last registration exercise or those who, for various reasons, did not register in 2020, should visit the District Office in their place of residence.

    They must bring either their Ghana Card or Ghana Passport as identification for registration purposes.

    “The general public is informed that it is a criminal offence for non-Ghanaians (foreigners) and persons who are not 18 years and above (minors) to attempt to register.

    “Offenders and those who guarantee for them will be liable for prosecution. Additionally, guarantors who guarantee for more than the legally mandated number of ten (10) persons will be prosecuted,” the EC warned.

    The EC further encouraged all eligible applicants to register and vote in the upcoming District Level Elections.

    “We urge the general public to support the 2023 Voters Registration Exercise,” it concluded.

  • NDC accuses EC of attempting to suppress votes with district-level registration 

    NDC accuses EC of attempting to suppress votes with district-level registration 

    Deputy Communication Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Godwin Ako Gunn, holds the opinion that the Electoral Commission’s (EC) choice to conduct voter registration solely in district offices for individuals aged 18 and above is an unfavorable decision.

    He contended that the move is essentially a form of voter suppression intended to hinder and suppress votes.

    This week, the Electoral Commission announced that voter registration for individuals aged 18 and above will take place from Tuesday, September 12 to Monday, October 2, 2023.

    The EC further announced that the exercise will be conducted at all 268 district offices across the nation.

    The commission said that the District Level Elections will be held on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

    Apart from the Nkoranza North and Nkoranza South districts in the Bono East Region where the elections will not take place, all other Electoral Areas totalling 6,272 will have their elections on December 19.

    The Electoral Commission is hoping to register 1,350,000 new voters by the close of the Registration exercise this year.

    In response, Ako Gunn remarked that this is a big challenge because it will prevent some new unregistered voters from registering.

    He told Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5Fm that the best method would be for the EC to facilitate registration in all polling centres across the country.

    He stated that some villages have residents who live far from the district offices and must travel by boat, bus, or other methods to go to the district offices.

    He stated that “only in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi and other cities are district offices closer to the people.” However, in certain Ghanaian communities, residents must travel by boat, canoe, or bus to reach the district offices. We have not registered new voters for the past three years, so you can anticipate the number of new voters who will participate in the election.

    These are some of the issues we’ve had with the EC, and our point is that we shouldn’t be doing this. The registration exercise should extend to all centres rather than just their district offices. Even if we organise the registration process in a week, it must include all of the centres.”

    “Sometimes they make things so difficult for political parties that it’s as if they (EC) don’t care,” he continued. All of this has been planned on purpose to prevent more voters from voting because the candidate for whom they are working would not be defeated.”

    He stated that the NDC has spoken to branch and constituency executives to conduct meetings and ensure that Ghanaians are informed about the registration since the EC will not do so.

    “These concerns we have raised are not about the NDC or the NPP,” he stated. This will not happen if you have no malevolent intentions or believe in justice. That is the pitiful aspect of the current EC Commissioner.”

  • 15,000 names expunged from voters’ register – EC

    15,000 names expunged from voters’ register – EC

    The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has announced that the commission has taken significant measures to eliminate 15,000 names of minors and non-citizens from the voters’ register.

    This revelation was made during a press conference called ‘Let the Citizen Know’ held in Accra on Thursday, August 17.

    Addressing the matter, she acknowledged that the 2020 registration process had exposed instances in which minors and non-citizens names were featured in the voters’ list by exploiting the guarantor system.

    To tackle this issue, the EC established District Registration Review Committees, which diligently worked over several weeks to identify and remove ineligible names from the register.

    “Our experience from the 2020 registration highlighted that a number of minors and foreigners utilized the guarantor system to become part of our roll. In order to rectify this and eliminate minors and foreigners from the 2020 register, the EC formed District Registration Review Committees, which worked diligently over several weeks to purge the names,” she explained.

    “The process of removing the names of unauthorized individuals from our list was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Throughout the registration, around 40,000 cases involving minors and non-citizens were challenged, resulting in the removal of approximately 15,000 ineligible entries,” she confirmed.

    Ms. Mensa stressed that the EC’s decision to adopt the Ghana Card as the sole identification document for voter registration is not intended to disenfranchise citizens. Rather, it’s a strategic move aimed at enhancing the credibility of the electoral roll and preventing similar occurrences.

    She clarified that the Commission no longer sees value in maintaining the guarantor system, which has become outdated. Thus, the choice to adopt the Ghana Card as the exclusive identification method for voting.

    Furthermore, she elaborated that employing the Ghana Card is the most reliable method to safeguard the integrity of Ghana’s electoral roll.

  • You will be prosecuted for vouching for more than 10 persons during voter registration – EC

    You will be prosecuted for vouching for more than 10 persons during voter registration – EC

    Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has emphasized that individuals vouching for more than ten people during the voter registration process will be prosecuted as per its regulations.

    To ensure accurate registration, the EC limits each person’s vouching to a maximum of ten individuals.

    Additionally, anyone vouching for a foreigner violates the law and will face appropriate action.

    During a press briefing on August 17, 2023, Jean Mensa highlighted the required identification documents for voter registration and cautioned that those disregarding the guidelines would face legal consequences.

    She urged the media to aid in educating citizens about this aspect of the law.

    Mensa also announced that district-level elections, slated for December 19, 2023, will be held across the country, except in the Nkoranza North and South districts, where they will occur in 2025.

    She encouraged active participation in these nonpartisan elections, which elect representatives for local government structures.

    The district-level elections, held every four years, encompass all 6,272 electoral areas, excluding Nkoranza North and South due to security concerns.

    The Chairperson disclosed that the Commission has outlined a comprehensive program for the 2023 district-level elections, to be disclosed soon.

    She urged citizens to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration process and actively engage in the upcoming elections on December 19, 2023.

  • The only way to ensure integrity of voters register is Ghana Card – EC

    The only way to ensure integrity of voters register is Ghana Card – EC

    The Chairperson of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has emphasized that the proposed constitutional instrument, aimed at designating the Ghana Card as the exclusive document for voter registration, is not intended to disenfranchise Ghanaians.

    Speaking to the media at the Electoral Commission’s headquarters on Friday, Jean Mensa clarified that the Commission is looking to move away from the guarantor system, which she believes has become obsolete.

    This is the reason behind the decision to adopt the Ghana Card as the sole identification document for voting purposes.

    Jean Mensa went on to elaborate that employing the Ghana Card as the primary means of identification is the most reliable method to safeguard the credibility of Ghana’s electoral roll.

    “The current proposal in Parliament, the Constitutional Instrument, does not intend to reintroduce the guarantor system. We have observed that the guarantor system has not been effective. Thirty years ago, when we embarked on this journey without the Ghana Card, it was necessary to implement a system that would enable individuals without documentation to register. Today, with the presence of the Ghana Card, we must depend on it as the most reliable means to maintain the accuracy of our electoral register.”

    She contended that the draft Constitutional Instrument, currently under parliamentary consideration, was motivated by the Commission’s commitment to conducting elections that are credible, transparent, fair, and peaceful. This decision arose from the challenges faced by the Commission during the registration process in 2020.

    “As a Commission dedicated to organizing elections that are credible, transparent, fair, and peaceful, we sought to establish and uphold the credibility of the foundational document, which is the voters’ register. This is why we proposed the use of the Ghana Card as the sole means of identifying an individual’s citizenship or age.”

    “Our experience from the 2020 Registration Exercise highlighted that a number of minors and non-citizens managed to enter the electoral roll through the guarantor system. To eliminate underage individuals and non-citizens from the 2020 register, the Electoral Commission set up District Registration Review Committees, which worked for several weeks to remove such names. It required significant time and effort to rectify the presence of ineligible individuals in our electoral roll. We contested around 40,000 cases involving minors and non-citizens and ultimately removed around 15,000 individuals from the register.”

  • District level elections slated for Dec 19

    District level elections slated for Dec 19

    The district level elections will take place on December 19, 2023.

    This information was made known by the Chair of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, during a press conference in Accra on Thursday, August 17,

    The electoral event is set to encompass 6,252 electoral areas and span across 38,672 polling stations nationwide.

    Mensa conveyed her assurance that comprehensive information regarding the elections will be promptly disseminated to the public.

    In her statement, she urged eligible voters to capitalize on the opportunity for voter registration and enroll themselves for voting purposes.

    Madam Jean Mensa further appealed to the citizens to actively engage in the upcoming election asserting that this engagement stands as the most certain avenue for fostering local-level development.

    “We, as a commission, wholeheartedly encourage eligible voters to avail themselves of the voter registration process and complete their registration.

    “Additionally, we call upon the general populace to enthusiastically participate in the forthcoming district level elections, scheduled for December 19th. It is through such participation that we can collectively drive the progress and development of our local communities,” she expressed.

  • EC to register new voters September 12

    EC to register new voters September 12

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has revealed that the voter registration process for individuals who have turned 18 will begin from September 12 to October 2, 2023.

    The registration will occur at all 268 district offices nationwide. During this period, the EC will also provide the option for replacing a voter’s ID card at a fee of GHC10.

    The announcement was made during a press conference named ‘Let the Citizen Know’ held in Accra.

    Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, addressed the media, stating that the voter’s registration exercise aims to include Ghanaians who have attained the age of 18 since the last registration in 2020.

    It will also cater to those older than 18 who couldn’t register in 2020 due to various reasons.

    Jean Mensa explained, “The EC will conduct the voter’s registration across all 268 district offices of the Commission. The exercise is scheduled from September 12 to October 2.”

    Furthermore, she disclosed that the District Level Assembly Elections (DLE) are set for December 19, 2023.

    The elections will encompass all 6,272 electoral areas across districts, with the exception of Nkoranza North and South in the Bono region. These two districts will not hold elections until 2025.

  • Ghanaians with ECOWAS Card must not be disenfranchised – Coalition to NIA, EC

    Ghanaians with ECOWAS Card must not be disenfranchised – Coalition to NIA, EC

    The Coalition of Ghanaians Without Ghana Card (CGWiGC), an interventionist national advocacy group, has expressed concerns over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) insistence on using only the Ghana Card for voter registration.

    They believe that this stance raises suspicions of an ulterior motive to suppress the votes of certain Ghanaians.

    The coalition firmly believes that no Ghanaian should be disenfranchised in any public election, and they call on the Electoral Commission to reconsider its position.

    The Convener of the Coalition, Richard Kasu, emphasized these points during a press conference held on July 27, 2023. He stressed that no state institution should directly or indirectly exclude citizens from exercising their fundamental rights, including the right to vote, as enshrined in the 1992 constitution of Ghana.

    To address these concerns on behalf of the Ghanaian people, the coalition proposed several crucial reviews that they believe the government, the Electoral Commission, and the National Identification Authority (NIA) should adopt.

    Firstly, the coalition argues that considering the numerous challenges related to acquiring the Ghana Card, it should not be the sole document required for obtaining a voter registration card. Additionally, they call for an immediate halt to the premium registration exercise currently conducted by the NIA at a commercial cost of GHS280, as the economic challenges faced by Ghanaians are already burdensome.

    The coalition urges the government and NIA to create provisions for Ghanaians to access Ghana card registration through a nationwide mass registration at various district levels, with further decentralization to electoral areas if possible.

    Furthermore, they advocate for all-inclusive stakeholder discussions by the NIA to make its services more progressive, accessible, and affordable to all Ghanaians at all times.

    Lastly, the group highlights that the ‘Ghana Card’ is not exclusively Ghanaian but rather should be appropriately called the ECOWAS Card, and therefore, it cannot be adopted as the national identity card of Ghanaians.

    In summary, the Coalition of Ghanaians Without Ghana Card urges the relevant authorities to address these issues to ensure that the voting rights of all Ghanaians are upheld and protected.

    “That having taken cognizance of the numerous challenges regarding the acquisition of the Ghana Card, it must not be made as the sole source document for the voter registration card. That the premium registration exercise ongoing by the NIA at a commercial value of GHS280 should be stopped immediately due to the already burdened harsh economic challenges faced by Ghanaians. That government, NIA should make provisions to enable Ghanaians access Ghana card registration through a nationwide mass registration at various district levels and further decentralized the registration to electoral areas if possible;

    “That all-inclusive stakeholder discussions by NIA to make its services more progressive, accessible and affordable to all Ghanaians at all times; That the ‘Ghana Card’ is not wholly Ghanaian but appropriately called the ECOWAS Card hence cannot be adopted as the national identity card of Ghanaians,” the group stressed.

  • Atta Mills governed with integrity, impartiality – Mahama to Akufo-Addo

    Atta Mills governed with integrity, impartiality – Mahama to Akufo-Addo

    Former president and presidential candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama has criticised President Akufo-Addo.

    During a ceremony in Accra on July 24, 2023, to mark the 11th anniversary of the passing of Former President, Prof John Evans Atta Mills, he sated that unlike the current dispensation, the late former president did not exploit state agencies for personal gain.

    He emphasized that the politically charged judicial system prevalent today was not present during Prof Mills’ time, according to a report by 3news.com.

    “Prof Mills was a leader who never sought to consolidate power at any cost or manipulate state agencies to further his political interests,” Mahama stated.

    He praised the independence of the Electoral Commission (EC) and the judiciary during Mills’ tenure, noting that they were not influenced by the president’s desires when delivering their verdicts.

    Mahama also highlighted Prof Mills’ deep respect for Ghana’s culture and values. He mentioned that Mills strongly opposed LGBTQ rights, as he upheld the nation’s social and moral principles.

    Additionally, Mahama credited the late former president for being an excellent talent spotter and acknowledged himself as one of Mills’ many proteges who have succeeded in their respective fields.

  • It is ‘undemocratic’ to use only Ghana card for voter registration – Coalition to EC

    The Coalition of Ghanaians Without Ghana Card (GWiGC) has expressed its concern over the Electoral Commission‘s (EC) insistence on using only the Ghana card as the exclusive document for voter registration in the 2024 general elections, considering it a threat to Ghana’s democratic principles.

    The group is urging the EC to reconsider its decision, which it believes will disenfranchise numerous citizens without the Ghana card.

    In a statement issued in Ho and shared with the media, the lead convener of GWiGC, Richard Kasu, asserted that the EC’s stance to amend the Constitutional Instrument (CI) to make the Ghana Card the sole document for voter registration contradicts Ghana’s 1992 Republican Constitution.

    This move could result in a significant number of Ghanaians being unable to register and vote.

    The group suspects ulterior motives behind the Electoral Commission’s and the National Identification Authority’s (NIA) resolute position, fearing that some citizens’ votes may be suppressed.

    GWiGC also raised concerns about the ongoing “premium express” silent registration for the Ghana Card at regional NIA offices. Ordinary Ghanaians are required to pay GHC280 and travel to regional capitals, causing financial and logistical burdens. The group called for an end to the commercialization of this process.

    Furthermore, GWiGC pointed out that the mass registration of the Ghana Card during the COVID-19 pandemic, as required by the NIA law, posed challenges as many Ghanaians were unable to participate due to government restrictions.

    The group urged an inclusive stakeholder discussion to devise a more progressive, accessible, and affordable Ghana Card registration process that caters to all citizens at all times.

  • ACUP joins the many political parties in Ghana

    ACUP joins the many political parties in Ghana

    The African Continental Unity Party (ACUP), a Pan-African global movement, has been given a provisional certificate by the Electoral Commission (EC), enabling them to establish a political party that can take part in future elections.

    On July 12, 2023, the certificate was given to the ACUP Ghana leadership during a brief ceremony at the EC office in Accra by Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, Director of Electoral Services.

    A global movement of Africans, led by ACUP, noted for its catchphrase “The Emerging Force,” seeks to create a new political order that upholds African ideals and beliefs and promotes prosperity for the continent’s citizens.

    The provisional certificate, granted in accordance with Section 8(2) of the Political Parties Act, 2000 (Act 574), signifies that the ACUP has been authorized to organize itself into a political party in compliance with the country’s electoral laws.

    Following the presentation of the certificate, Christiana A. Agyare, the interim national women’s organizer of the ACUP, addressed the media and emphasized that the party is not just a “Nkrumahist Party” but also shares the ideals and perspectives of well-known Pan-Africanists like Marcus Garvey, Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, and Thomas Sankara.

    Agyare highlighted the ongoing relevance of the dream to achieve the complete liberation of Africans and stated that the party intends to mobilize Africans, including those in the diaspora, to bring about positive transformations in the lives and well-being of the people.

    She continued by expressing the party’s ambition to gain full political recognition and spread its influence to other African countries. Politics, according to Agyare, should serve the general populace and not be a privilege reserved for a small group of people. The ACUP seeks to alter the conversation surrounding politics.

    Dr. Quaicoe warned the ACUP leadership that the provisional certificate was not a definitive one and that the party should not engage in political campaigns as a result.

    He instructed them to meet a number of requirements, such as identifying their founding members, creating district, regional, and national offices, and presenting annual audited finances if their application is granted.

  • Gyakye Quayson did not deceive EC – Kofi Adams

    Gyakye Quayson did not deceive EC – Kofi Adams

    Member of Parliament for Buem, Kofi Adams, has affirmed that the Electoral Commission (EC) has not expressed any grievances regarding allegations of deceit in the case involving James Gyakye Quayson.

    According to him, the EC is aware that Quayson underwent the necessary legal processes to renounce his Canadian citizenship before contesting the seat in the 2020 election.

    Adams further highlighted that the EC scrutinized Quayson’s eligibility and deemed him qualified to contest the election. He explained that when Quayson took the oath of office upon his election, he did so as a Ghanaian.

    “They saw everything about it and still thought that he was qualified to contest that election. That is why the Electoral Commission is not a complainer. That is why the Electoral Commission is not saying that they have been deceived by anybody because they were never deceived,” myjoyonline quoted Adams.

    According to Adams, when reports regarding the citizenship status of the Assin North MP surfaced, the authorities in the Central Region acknowledged that it was beyond their jurisdiction. The matter was subsequently referred to the Chair of the EC, Madam Jean Mensa, who established a committee involving legal practitioners to review the reports and documentation related to Gyakye Quayson’s identity.

    The committee examined the documents, including the renunciation certificate of the MP, and determined that Gyakye Quayson was qualified to contest the election, Adams noted.

    James Gyakye Quayson, a candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), recently lost his position as the constituency’s MP after a court ruled that he held dual citizenship, which is illegal for anyone occupying a public office. Consequently, the seat was declared vacant, leading to a by-election.

    Amidst the court case, the NPP capitalized on the issue to campaign against Quayson, suggesting that he would be unable to serve the constituency if imprisoned. However, experts caution that such a strategy may backfire, as it could lead to perceptions of persecution among the constituency’s youth.

    Despite winning the seat by a significant margin, Gyakye Quayson will continue to pursue the legal process until the case is concluded.

    Some individuals are now calling for the discontinuation of the court proceedings in the interest of democracy.

  • Video: Electoral officer caught on camera taking bribe at Assin North

    Video: Electoral officer caught on camera taking bribe at Assin North

    A presiding officer of the Electoral Commission (EC) has been caught engaging in electoral malpractice in his line of work during the Assin North by-election on Tuesday.

    He is believed to have been found out by an agent in his attempt to bribe an officer of the Ghana Police Service.

    In a viral video on Twitter, the male EC officer attempted to take back his cash believed to be in GHS5 notes.

    But he was compelled to complete the task and hand over the money to the security officer. In the said footage, the culprit was asked to sit for interrogation.

    Unfortunately, several electoral malpractices and other crimes have been uncovered in Assin North today.

    There was buying of votes by both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC). Also, some individuals have been arrested for posing as security personnel.

  • EC records high voter turnout in Assin North by-election

    EC records high voter turnout in Assin North by-election

    The Electoral Commission (EC), has reported a significantly high voter turnout in the by-election in the Assin North Constituency.

    Speaking to the media, Director of Elections, Dr. Serebuor Quaicoe said polling stations recorded over 50% voter’ turnout before midday.

    “Almost all the centers I visited have clocked 50% as of now, so the turnout is very high. You could see that the people are still in the queue,” he said.

    At least 41,168 voters in 99 polling centers are taking part in the election to elect an MP for the area.

    The seat became vacant after the Supreme Court declared null and void, the processes that led to the election of the embattled incumbent Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson, over dual citizenship issues.

    Mr. Quayson, who is contesting the seat again, faces opposition from his closest contender, the New Patriotic Party’s Charles Opoku, and Bernice Enyonam Senenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG).

    Some electorates at the Endwa Community Center, Catholic Primary School, and Asempaneye Catholic JHS polling stations, gathered at about 4:00am to participate in the voting which started at 7:00 am.

    Mr. Quaicoe believes that the Electoral Commission could record one of the highest voter turnouts in recent times in any by-election which are known for recording low voter turnout.

    “I wouldn’t want to project, but it seems we are going to have one of the highest voter turnout in the Assin North,” he said.

    Mr. Quaicoe attributes the high voter turnout to effective campaigning adopted by political parties participating in the election, intensified police presence and patrols that assure electorates of adequate security, and media and the proactiveness of the Electoral Commission.

    “That is what happens when political parties tend to do proper campaigning instead of attacking one another. If you go to the people with a good message, the people will respond.”

    “I will also give some of the credit to the police because the police have flooded everywhere. So you realize that you can go about your business without any form of intimidation.”

    “Also the media is working, the Electoral Commission is working” he observed.

  • EC assures its readiness for Assin North by-election

    EC assures its readiness for Assin North by-election

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has affirmed its preparedness to conduct the Assin North by-election on June 27 with transparency, fairness, and credibility.

    A total of 41,168 registered voters are expected to participate across 99 polling centers, with over 198 Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs) set to be deployed.

    Mrs. Gladys Pinkrah, the EC’s Regional Director, stated that the Commission has received the necessary materials, including ballot papers, notices of poll, and biometric certification devices.

    The EC has conducted training for its officials in anticipation of the highly anticipated by-election following the Supreme Court’s ruling that declared the previous MP’s election as unconstitutional.

    The New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) candidate, Charles Opoku, occupies the first position on the ballot paper, followed by Bernice Enyonam Sefenu of the Liberal Party of Ghana (LPG) in the second position, and James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the third position.

    Mrs. Pinkrah urged political actors to learn from past mistakes and ensure a successful by-election. She also called on the media to uphold journalistic standards and ethics to counter the spread of fake news.

    As the campaigns of participating parties—NPP, NDC, and LPG—concluded, house-to-house and one-on-one campaigns were employed to sway voters.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, alongside the leadership of NPP and NDC, has called for peace before, during, and after the election. At a news conference attended by representatives of both parties, the IGP pledged to maintain law and order.

  • Voter education should begin with District Level Elections – CLGA to EC

    Voter education should begin with District Level Elections – CLGA to EC

    The Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA) has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to initiate voter education in preparation for the upcoming District Level Elections (DLEs).

    According to the group, despite preparations towards the upcoming 2023 DLEs, it is concerned about the increasing general apathy which will be a result of poor voter turnout.

    “By law, the elections are expected to be held latest by December this year to elect new District Assembly and Unit Committee members to replace the current members whose mandate expires by January 2024. As at today the general public is yet to have any communication and information from the Electoral Commission regarding the elections, six months into the election year,” the Deputy Executive Director of the Centre for Local Governance Advocacy (CLGA), Gladys Gillian Tetteh, said during a forum held in Accra.

    She stressed that low voter turnout in DLEs raises concern over the legitimacy and interest of citizens in local governance.

    “While the last presidential elections recorded almost 80% voter turn-out, the 2019 DLE had 33.6 and increase of 3% from the 30.6% in 2015. Meanwhile, the high levels of apathy shown by the voting populace in District Level Elections though worrying also inadvertently may affect the quality and competency of people elected to the assemblies.

    “A major cause of the apathy is lack of early voter education and the Electoral Commission is therefore advised to start its voter education to ignite the enthusiasm,” she added.

    Meanwhile, Ghanaians are advised to make the October 3 District and Unit Committee elections a priority in order to elect Assembly Members and unit committees.

  • 2024 elections: Amaliba backs calls for reduction in collation centres

    2024 elections: Amaliba backs calls for reduction in collation centres

    Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Abraham Amaliba has entreated the Electoral Commission (EC) to heed the advice of former Commissioner, Dr Afari-Gyan to reduce the number of collation centres in the country.

    Speaking at a forum to mark 60 years of the political science department of the University of Ghana this week, Dr Afari-Gyan noted that there is a positive correlation between increased collation centres and voter manipulation, hence the need to desist from adding further and reducing the current figure.

    “Voter tabulation sounds like a simple and straightforward activity, however, examples from recent elections will indicate that collation centers are the most vulnerable points in manipulating election results. So it is not desirable to set up many collation points in the results management process.

    “Each collation centre represents a point where results can be corrupted wilfully or through mistakes. Also, the more collation centers there are, the more difficult to track changes and results,” he said.

    Sharing his view on Dr Afari-Gyan’s comment on the Big Issue on TV3 Friday, June 16, Mr Amaliba noted that there is the likelihood for tampering should results be commuted from the constituency to the region.

    “The second collation center is clearly supposed to allow for mischief. A second collation Centre which is the regional collation center is a recipe for fraudulent acts. That is where the cheating takes place.

    When you transmit the results from constituency to the region, the likelihood of tampering will take place,” he said.

    According to him, officials of the Electoral Commission most at times engage in electoral malpractice.

    “You have officials of the EC, whom if you are not vigilant could change your results for you. Results have been changed at polling stations in this country,” he added.

    Source: The Independent Ghana