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Tag: voter registration

  • Guidelines to check voter registration details online

    Guidelines to check voter registration details online

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) will launch an online voter exhibition exercise on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

    Registered voters can verify their information using two available methods:

    1. Mobile Short Code:

    The commission has announced that registered voters can access their information by dialing the short code 71151# across all mobile networks in Ghana.

    Once voters input the short code, they will need to provide their 10-digit Voter ID number to obtain their registration details.

    According to the commission, this service will be free of charge for voters.

    2. EC Website:

    The commission has also made available a second option for checking registration details through its website – https://ec.gov.gh.

    To use this service, registered voters should click on the pop-up link located in the bottom-right corner of the homepage.

    Once the pop-up is activated, voters will need to input their 10-digit Voter ID number to access their registration information.

    3. Political party template:

    The EC has also supplied political parties with a template designed for reporting any discrepancies they discover in the register.

    Deadline:

    The commission has announced that the deadline for the exhibition is Saturday, October 19, 2024.

    The EC encourages voters to bring any issues they notice in the register to the district offices where they registered, so that necessary actions can be taken.

    Additionally, it emphasized that all discrepancies regarding voters’ details in the register should be reported during the designated period for the re-exhibition exercise.

    “The Public should note that any discrepancies identified must be reported to the District Office of the Commission where they are registered voters for correction. Once the Re-Exhibition Exercise ends on Saturday, 19th October, voters will still be able to check their details Online but CANNOT request for correction of their details,” it cautioned.

  • Network challenge mars EC’s mop-up voter registration exercise in New Juaben South

    Network challenge mars EC’s mop-up voter registration exercise in New Juaben South

    Network signal fluctuations hampered the mop-up voter registration exercise in the New Juaben South Municipality on Friday, leading the Electoral Commission (EC) to reschedule the registration of 12 individuals to Saturday, August 3, 2024.

    Mr. Abraham Dautey, the New Juaben South Municipal Technician for the EC, informed the Ghana News Agency that network issues had been affecting the mop-up exercise since it began on Thursday, August 1.

    “Today the network signal went off as early as 11 a.m. and came back at 2:45 p.m. I can’t say it’s because of the continuous shower of rain because the other station is not facing any network signal loss,” he explained.

    Aside from the network problems, Mr. Dautey reported that the registration process at the three centers was proceeding smoothly, with no incidents of double registration attempts.

    “We have three stations where the registration is ongoing. Two stations at the EC office and one at the Koforidua Technical University. The two stations at the EC office faced the network challenges,” he noted.

    By August 2, 2024, a total of 339 applicants, including students and workers who missed the previous registration period, had been successfully registered as eligible voters.

    Mr. Isaac Minta Larbi, the Eastern Regional Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress, criticized the EC for failing to ensure a stable network signal during the registration exercise.

    “We are in a world where the network defeats all weather conditions so if you live in a country where the weather defeats your network then you’re far behind,” he remarked.

    Mr. Larbi emphasized the importance of capturing all eligible voters before the three-day mop-up exercise concluded, stressing that citizens could not afford delays since an extension was not guaranteed.

    Conversely, Mr. Obeng Marnu, the New Juaben South Constituency Organizer for the New Patriotic Party, commended the EC for maintaining a safe and efficient registration process despite the adverse weather conditions.

  • Mop-up voter registration exercise must be extended to remote areas – Mahama tells EC

    Mop-up voter registration exercise must be extended to remote areas – Mahama tells EC

    John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to expand the upcoming mop-up voter registration exercise beyond district offices to include remote areas that are difficult to access.

    The EC’s mop-up exercise is scheduled to take place from August 1-3, 2024.

    Mahama argues that extending the registration sites will allow eligible Ghanaians who have recently turned 18 or older to register during the mop-up exercise, thereby preventing voter suppression.

    He made these comments during an interaction with Ghanaians known as ‘Mahama Conversations’ on Sunday, June 9, 2024.

    “If this young lady or gentleman manages to secure two guarantors, pays for the transportation of the guarantors to accompany them to a registration centre and due to network failure and postponements, this young person is unable to register via the guarantor system, what is the likelihood that he or she can return another day to register with two guarantors?

    “That leads to voter suppression. I will continue to urge the EC to prevent voter suppression by extending the mop-up exercise beyond its district offices to include all hard-to-reach areas.

    “This will enable Ghanaians who have turned 18 or more to register from the 1st to the 3rd of August,” he said.

    He reassured his supporters that any challenges with voting would not hinder his ultimate victory in the elections, emphasizing that his win would be a triumph for all Ghanaians.

    “However, let me assure you that no matter the challenges or artificial mountains and obstacles they erect in your paths to prevent you from exercising your franchise, my victory in the polls shall be your victory. It shall be a victory for all the suffering Ghanaians,” he stated.

  • EC to hold 3-day voter registration mop-up exercise in August

    EC to hold 3-day voter registration mop-up exercise in August

    The Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC) has unveiled plans to carry out a three-day mop-up voter registration exercise starting August 1.

    This initiative will take place across the Commission’s district offices and aims to ensure thorough voter registration for the forthcoming December 2024 elections.

    In an official letter addressed to the General Secretary of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the EC emphasized its commitment to maximizing voter participation through this additional registration opportunity.

    “This comes to inform you that the Commission will conduct a mop-up voter registration exercise at all the district offices of the Commission throughout the country.”

    “The registration will also be extended to the prison centres. This exercise will take place from Thursday, 1 August to Saturday, 3 August, 2024. The modalities for the exercise will be discussed at an IPAC meeting to be held in due course,” the letter said.

    In a concerted effort to enhance voter registration for the forthcoming elections, the Electoral Commission (EC) extended its initial 21-day registration period by an additional three days in May.

    This extension took place from May 27 to 29 across the EC’s 268 district offices nationwide. To further support those who missed the initial registration window, the EC has scheduled a “mop-up” voter registration drive for August 1, ensuring wider participation in the electoral process.

  • Effutu: NDC concerned of potential manipulation after EC’s abrupt transfer

    Effutu: NDC concerned of potential manipulation after EC’s abrupt transfer

    Effutu constituency branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed serious concerns over the sudden transfer of Emelia Ama Akotiah, the Electoral Commissioner (EC) for the area, just days before the conclusion of the limited voter registration exercise.

    During a press conference, James Kofi Annan, the NDC’s parliamentary candidate in Effutu, raised suspicions of potential manipulation associated with this unexpected transfer.

    He emphasized that while Akotiah’s past performance as Electoral Commissioner had been marred by allegations of voter manipulation during the 2020 elections, her recent efforts were focused on addressing these issues.

    “Why will you transfer an officer at such an ungodly hour when you know that there is an ongoing registration exercise and there is an impending transfer to be done?”

    Mr. Annan quizzed, implying that the transfer might be a strategic decision to disrupt fair processes ahead of the upcoming December 7 polls.

    Mr. Annan emphasized that the timing of the transfer is highly suspicious and could potentially compromise the integrity of the electoral process in the constituency.

    He suggested that Emelia Akotiah’s proactive measures to rectify past irregularities and prevent future ones might have prompted her abrupt transfer.

    The Effutu branch of the NDC is urging transparency and accountability from the Electoral Commission regarding this decision.

    They are demanding clear explanations for Akotiah’s transfer and insisting that the registration and upcoming electoral procedures remain free from any form of manipulation or bias.

  • Mayhem as gunshots fired at Sagnarigu voter registration centre

    Mayhem as gunshots fired at Sagnarigu voter registration centre

    Disturbances erupted in the Sagnarigu constituency of the Northern Region on Sunday when gunshots were fired at the voters registration centre.

    The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have each accused the other of being responsible for the incident.

    The gunfire started after a vehicle arrived at the registration centre, carrying people intending to register for their voter cards. Following an argument about the new arrivals, unidentified gunmen stormed the centre and began shooting.

    Northern Regional Organizer for the NDC, Abdallah A. Baba, accused the NPP of orchestrating the attack. He claimed that NDC members had come to the centre peacefully when armed men emerged from nearby bushes and started firing.

    Baba alleged that the gunmen were linked to the NPP, citing information that NPP executives had met the previous day to plan disruptions.

    In contrast, the NPP Chairman for the Sagnarigu constituency, Alhaji Musah Fuseini Dangoomah, denied the allegations and countered that the gunmen were from the NDC. He asserted that the NPP is committed to a peaceful registration process and that the accusations are false.

    Both parties have called for thorough investigations to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

  • NDC is bussing Togolese to participate in voter registration exercise – Woman alleges

    NDC is bussing Togolese to participate in voter registration exercise – Woman alleges

    A woman believed to hail from the Volta Region has accused the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of bussing some Togolese nationals to register in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

    The lady, spotted in a video on social media, alleged that the NDC is doing so after residents in the Volta region decided not to participate in the ongoing exercise.

    The claim cannot be independently confirmed by The Independent Ghana.

    The video comes after the Jasikan Municipal Police Command arrested two alleged Togolese after they attempted to register in the ongoing voter registration exercises.

    The suspects were arrested on Sunday, 19 May 2024 around 4pm.

    The suspects were allegedly brought into the country by executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to partake in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

  • Parliament likely to summon EC boss over funds spent on voter registration exercise

    Parliament likely to summon EC boss over funds spent on voter registration exercise

    Member of Parliament for South Dayi constituency, Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor, has announced his intention to summon the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, before Parliament.

    This decision comes amid concerns regarding the utilization of funds approved by Parliament for the ongoing limited registration exercise.

    In an interview with Adom News correspondent Odehyeba Owusu Job, Dafeamekpor expressed his discontent with how the allocated funds are being utilized by the EC.

    He highlighted that Parliament had approved a budget for the limited registration exercise to be conducted at all existing polling stations nationwide.

    However, the EC has limited the exercise to certain district offices and hard-to-reach centers on a rotational basis, which, according to him, impedes the registration process.

    Dafeamekpor criticized the EC’s strategy, describing it as an infringement on the voting rights of Ghanaians and an attempt to suppress voter turnout.

    He pointed out the difficulties faced by eligible Ghanaians who have to travel long distances to reach registration centers, often struggling with transportation costs due to the current economic challenges, which he attributes to the current government’s leadership.

    Additionally, he emphasized the need for a continuous registration process from Monday to Friday to accommodate all new eligible voters.

    The legislator concluded by announcing his plan to summon the EC Chairperson before Parliament to address the budget allocation for the ongoing registration exercise. He stated that this action would be taken after the completion of the limited registration exercise and the subsequent transfer of votes.

  • EC changes team responsible for generating, publishing info graphs on voter registration after errors

    EC changes team responsible for generating, publishing info graphs on voter registration after errors

    The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced a change in the team responsible for generating and publishing infographics of data in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

    According to the Commission, this change aims to prevent the dissemination of erroneous figures.

    Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Operations, Mr. Samuel Tettey, stated that rigorous mechanisms have been implemented to avoid future errors.

    “The Commission apologises for the error,” he added.

    However, Dr. Rashid Tanko, Deputy Director of Elections and IT for the opposition NDC, expressed dissatisfaction with the assurances provided by the Commission.

    He argued that individuals found complicit should be dismissed rather than reassigned.

    “It is not enough for us. Heads should roll at the Electoral Commission. Changing the team is not enough. It is not the answer. What is the quality assurance going on at the Electoral Commission that led them to churn out those fake figures?

    “The one who presided over all that should step aside. That is what a serious country should be built on, not just asking that people should be changed. What is the meaning of that?”

    Meanwhile, the EC reports that the Volta region has recorded the highest number of challenged cases, while the Ashanti region leads in overall registered voters.

  • Juapong ECG warns public against power distribution tampering

    Juapong ECG warns public against power distribution tampering

    Juapong District of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), situated under Tema, has issued a stern warning to the public against meddling with the power distributor’s network, citing potential risks to the company, customers, and the general populace.

    The caution comes following the district’s identification of a fuse burnout in a 200KVA transformer located in Asikuma, a town within its jurisdiction. This fuse, designed to safeguard the transformer, was discovered to be damaged on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

    The company’s attention was drawn to this issue after observing frequent tampering with the distribution network, particularly by individuals, possibly non-company electricians, during outages in attempts to restore power.

    However, such actions pose significant hazards, as these individuals may lack familiarity with the specific network design of the area.

    Ing. Rejoice Garfo, the Juapong District Engineer, reiterated this warning on a stakeholder WhatsApp platform for residents of the district.

    She urged that “if such interference continues, the entire transformer could be damaged. This would result in customers being without power until a new transformer is installed.”

    The Juapong District Manager, Ing. William Ahenkorah, mentioned that “replacing these transformers consumes significant company resources, diverting funds from other projects and straining the company’s finances.”

    Ing. Ahenkorah also stressed that before any work is done on the distribution network, the team ensures that power is switched off when necessary.

    He explained, “This is crucial to prevent accidents, injuries, and potential fatalities. Just imagine if an unauthorized individual attempts to work on the network during an outage and the power is suddenly restored. This could result in loss of life.”

    Engineer Ahenkorah advises customers and the general public to report any power supply issues, outages, or related problems directly to the ECG for resolution, rather than attempting to resolve them independently.

  • Police arrest 2 Togolese for attempting to register at Buem voter registration centre

    Police arrest 2 Togolese for attempting to register at Buem voter registration centre

    Two Togolese nationals are currently in the custody of the Jasikan Municipal Police Command for attempting to participate in Ghana’s ongoing voter registration exercise.

    The arrests were made by National Security officers on Sunday, May 19, and the suspects were subsequently handed over to the police for further processing in court.

    According to National Security officers, leaders of a political party in the area allegedly brought the suspects to the Jasikan Municipal Registration Centre. They further alleged that political leaders in the Buem Constituency attempted to secure bail for the two suspects at the police station but were unsuccessful.

    This incident follows a similar arrest last week at Asokore Mampong in the Ashanti Region, where two Nigeriens were apprehended. These individuals were unable to convince Electoral Commission officers and the police of their eligibility to register as they were not Ghanaians.

    In response, the Electoral Commission (EC) has issued a warning to political parties to discourage their regional and constituency executives from transporting minors and foreigners to registration centres.

  • NDC rejects offline voter registration

    NDC rejects offline voter registration

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected the Electoral Commission’s (EC) proposal to switch to offline voter registration if the current online system continues to face challenges.

    Instead, the NDC has urged the Commission to promptly fix and restore data connectivity at all registration centers to ensure continuous registration, timely data verification, and enhanced transparency.

    The registration exercise, which began on May 7, 2024, and is expected to conclude on May 27, has encountered numerous issues, including poor internet connectivity and malfunctioning biometric machines.

    In response to these challenges, the Commission instructed its officers to switch to offline registration if necessary.

    However, at a news conference in Accra on Thursday (May 16), NDC General Secretary Fifi Kwetey voiced strong opposition to the offline registration mode, labeling it as deficient.

    He argued that offline registration could undermine the integrity of the electoral process, expose the system to exploitation, and introduce errors that could skew the outcome.

    “This approach lacks real-time oversight, making it difficult to verify data promptly and transparently, thereby opening the door to potential biases and manipulations—particularly in targeted districts and regions to the disadvantage of the NDC. These actions compromise transparency and trust,” Kwetey stated.

    He acknowledged that technical challenges are an inevitable aspect of any large-scale logistical operation, but emphasized that registering voters offline is not the ideal solution.

    He urged the EC to promptly address the systemic issues to ensure the efficiency and reliability of the electoral process.

    “We demand that the EC be proactive in implementing robust preventive measures rather than resorting to offline registration,” the General Secretary emphasized.

    Kwetey also raised concerns about incorrect figures released by the Commission during the ongoing voter registration exercise.

    For example, he noted that on May 11, 2024, the Party alerted the Commission to anomalies in figures published on its website and social media handles. Although the EC acknowledged the issue on May 12 and made corrections, Kwetey claimed the “corrected” figures still contained errors.

    In the Oti Region, for instance, he alleged that the Day Two figure of 578 was “erroneously” swapped with the Day Three figure of 1,515. If these figures were aligned correctly, the Day Two national total would be 18,330, not 19,267, and Day Three’s total would be 49,553, not 48,616, as stated by the Commission.

    “Similarly, the Day Three figure for Bono East in their corrected data is 771. However, this is incorrect. Bono East recorded 2,252 per our provisional data. This discrepancy will affect the total registered voters of 5,118 for Bono East for the four days as stated by the EC,” he added.

    “This situation exemplifies what we term ‘transpositional rigging,’ where figures are shuffled between categories without affecting the overall total,” he explained.

    He urged the EC to promptly rectify the inaccuracies in the data released on May 12, 2024, noting that such discrepancies could raise suspicions among parties.

    “We expect a thorough review and correction of all figures to prevent further errors and uphold the integrity of our electoral process,” he stressed.

    He assured Ghanaians that the NDC remains vigilant and committed to safeguarding all votes, promising that every ballot cast on December 7 would be accounted for.

    Kwetey reiterated calls for an independent investigation into the missing biometric verification kits to eliminate any mistrust among stakeholders.

  • Day 6: 251,149 new voters registered – EC

    Day 6: 251,149 new voters registered – EC

    As of the close of business on Sunday, May 12, 2024, the Electoral Commission (EC) registered a total of 251,149 new voters, averaging 45,000 registrations per day.

    Of this total, 135,898 (54.11 per cent) are female, and 115,251 (45.89 per cent) are male. The EC also registered 400 persons with disabilities nationwide.

    In terms of regional breakdown, the Greater Accra region registered 33,899 voters (13.5 per cent); North East, 6,928 (2.8 per cent); Upper East, 10,646 (4.2 per cent); Northern, 19,491 (7.8 per cent); Bono, 8,972 (3.6 per cent); Bono East, 9,681 (3.9 per cent); Volta, 12,190 (4.9 per cent); Upper West, 8,474 (3.4 per cent); Eastern, 25,625 (10.2 per cent); Central, 27,984 (11.1 per cent); and Ahafo, 6,273 (2.5 per cent).

    The remaining registrations are Ashanti, 44,232 (17.6 per cent); Western North, 9,134 (3.6 per cent); Oti, 7,259 (2.9 per cent); Savannah, 5,261 (2.1 per cent); and Western Region, 15,100 (6.0 per cent).

    Dr. Bossman Eric Asare, a Deputy Chair of the EC in-charge of Corporate Services, noted that first-time voters, aged 18 to 21, constituted the majority of registered voters, with 221,066 registrations within the first six days.

    During the first five days of the registration exercise, 98,926 applicants (39.39 per cent) used the Ghana Card, while 622 applicants (0.25 per cent) used a passport. The guarantor system was used by 151,601 applicants (60.36 per cent).

    Regarding challenges, out of a total of 2,935 cases, the Greater Accra Region recorded the highest number with 524 challenged cases.

    “The guarantor system continues to dominate the forms of identification. This is something the Commission is not proud of because it is used by political parties and certain persons to facilitate the registration of unqualified persons such as minors and foreigners,” he said.

    Dr. Asare expressed the Commission’s hope that in future registration exercises, the guarantor system would not be the sole identity document, aiming to reduce chaos in registration centers regarding the ages and nationalities of applicants.

    The Commission also appealed to political parties to refrain from using violence to challenge the eligibility of applicants, urging them to use appropriate procedures to resolve such cases.

    Furthermore, the Commission appealed to parents to ensure that their children under 18 years old do not attempt to register.

  • One arrested over chaos at Kukuom during voter registration

    One arrested over chaos at Kukuom during voter registration

    One individual has been apprehended in connection with the disturbances that transpired at a limited voter registration center in Kukuom, located in the Ahafo Region, on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

    The clash between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) prompted the arrest of the Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, who was later released.

    The NDC, represented by its National Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, denounced the arrest of the legislator, asserting that Collins Dauda had committed no wrongdoing.

    An update from the police regarding the incident disclosed the apprehension of one individual named “Muniru Muhammad,” who purportedly participated in the attack resulting in the injury of one person at the Kukuom registration center.

    Furthermore, the police update stated that investigations are underway to apprehend additional individuals suspected of involvement in the violence.

    Below is the full update.

    Following the incident which occurred at the Kukuom registration centre on Saturday 11th May 2024, the Ghana Police Service took immediate steps to restore calm on the same day, and the registration exercise has been progressing in a peaceful and orderly manner.

    The ongoing Police investigation has led to the arrest of suspect Muniru Muhammad who allegedly took part in the attack which led to the injury of one person at the Kukuom registration centre.

    The Police are also pursuing more suspects in the disturbance including those involved in the alleged assault on some three persons.

    We want to assure the public that all suspects in these cases will be arrested and put before court to face justice.

  • NDC narrates how NPP thugs allegedly marred voter registration at Kukuom with violence

    NDC narrates how NPP thugs allegedly marred voter registration at Kukuom with violence

    The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has recounted disturbances reportedly orchestrated by thugs belonging to the New Patriotic Party at a voter registration centre at Kukuom in the Asunafo South constituency in the Ahafo Region.

    In a statement signed by Communications Officer, Sammy Gyamfi, the NDC noted that on or about 10:00am on Saturday, 11th May, 2024, a group of thugs belonging to the ruling New Patriotic Party numbering about 40, besieged the Asunafo South Constituency registration center at Kukuom.

    Wearing face masks and dressed in what looked like military apparel, these NPP thugs unleashed violence on the registration center. They attacked and chased away perceived first-time NDC voters numbering about 150, who were in a queue waiting to be registered.

      These hooded NPP thugs who were led by one “Anointing”, threatened the accredited NDC agent, Police Officers and other observers, insisting that they will not allow the first-time voters to be registered. The attacks persisted from 10:00am until 3:00pm on that fateful day.

      At about 3:00pm, the Police at Kukuom called for reinforcement from the Regional Police Command at Goaso. This did not however deter the NPP bandits, who continued to engage in heated verbal exchanges with the Police at the scene, insisting that they will not allow the perceived supporters of the NDC to register.

      In the midst of the pandemonium, one Daniel Arthur, a known NDC member and the Assembly Member for the Denyase Electoral Area: Abu, the NDC Coordinator for Asarekrom Electoral Area as well as the NDC’s registration agent at the center, were severely brutalized by the NPP thugs.

      Upon hearing about the ongoing chaos, some NDC supporters, rushed to the scene to ascertain the situation for themselves and offer some support to the NDC supporters who were under attack. Upon seeing the NDC supporters, some of the NPP thugs bolted. Calm was restored at the center for sometime, allowing some of the harassed supporters of the NDC to
      register.

      In a sudden turn of events, one of the NPP thugs drove across and blocked the road when the Asutifi South NDC supporters were leaving the center. He then pulled a gun and began to shoot indiscriminately at the NDC supporters in their vehicle. At this point, the NDC supporters in exercise of their right to self-defence, shot back to deter the thugs. No one sustained gunshot injuries.

      This fact was corroborated by the Police in their investigative report read to Hon. Collins Dauda, MP for Asutifi South, in the presence of Hon. Eric Opoku, MP for Asunafo South, at a meeting on the morning of Sunday, 12th May, 2024.

      Meanwhile, Mr Dauda has been detained in connection with a recent disruption during the limited voter registration exercise in Kukuom, Ahafo Region, where one individual was injured and hospitalized.

      The NDC has condemned the Ghana Police Service’s arrest of Collins Dauda, Member of Parliament for Asutifi South, stating that it lacks merit.

        1. Voter registration at Ahafo Ano South East turns bloody as NPP member allegedly attempts to register ‘foreigners’

          Voter registration at Ahafo Ano South East turns bloody as NPP member allegedly attempts to register ‘foreigners’

          Two individuals have reportedly sustained injuries following a clash between two groups at a voter registration centre in Adu Gyama, located in the Ahafo Ano South East constituency of the Ashanti region.

          The altercation occurred when a group attempted to prevent two students from registering at the center. These students were allegedly brought to the center for registration by a representative of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

          However, other party agents and local residents present at the center objected to their registration, claiming that the students were not residents of the area.

          After an initial protest that was temporarily settled, a group of armed individuals arrived at the center, brandishing clubs, machetes, and other weapons. They demanded that the Electoral Commission officials allow the students to register.

          In response, the political party agents and other residents resisted, leading to a confrontation that resulted in two individuals sustaining injuries to their neck and arms.

          The injured individuals are currently receiving treatment at the St. Mankraso Hospital in the constituency. The voter registration process at the center was halted as the Electoral Commission works to address the situation.

        2. SHS students likely to boycott voter registration exercise over challenges

          SHS students likely to boycott voter registration exercise over challenges

          Some Senior High School (SHS) students aged 18 and above have threatened to return to school if Electoral Commission (EC) officials fail to register them in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

          The current EC registration exercise began on Tuesday, 7th May, and is set to conclude on 27th May.

          Although the Ghana Education Service (GES) granted these students four days’ permission to register, many are facing challenges due to network issues.

          Consequently, some students are considering boycotting the exercise if the problems persist, stating that they will have no choice but to return to school.

          The students are appealing to the EC to promptly address the network challenges to enable them to register.

          Meanwhile, Stephen Abuaku, the NPP Chairman of the Nkawkaw constituency, acknowledged the network issues but expressed that, overall, the registration process is proceeding smoothly.

          He also appealed to the GES to consider extending the four-day registration period for the students.

        3. EC cautions political parties, public against disturbances at voter registration centres

          EC cautions political parties, public against disturbances at voter registration centres

          The Electoral Commission (EC) has issued a warning to individuals and political party agents, cautioning against disruptions or disturbances during the ongoing Limited Voter Registration Exercise.

          The warning comes after the Ghana Police Service arrested three individuals—Abass Abukari, George Vinor, and Abdul Karim—in Tepa, Ashanti Region, on Wednesday. They were apprehended for allegedly disrupting the registration process and causing disturbances.

          The individuals responsible for the sabotage are currently in police custody, assisting the Ghana Police Service with their investigations.

          Benjamin Bannor Bio, the Ashanti Regional EC boss, emphasized that security personnel have been deployed to the various registration centers and are prepared to deal with any individuals or groups attempting to disrupt the process.

          “They will not even allow them to get closer to our centres as we indicated in Tepa and we will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the right people are registered. I can assure you, we will not also permit anybody to try to adversely affect the smooth process of our registration exercise.”

          “The commission issues a directive that we go offline. We will be using offline until the connectivity issue is restored.”

          The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo Markin, has voiced concerns about the ongoing network issues affecting the limited voter registration exercise in the Effutu constituency in the Central Region.

          “The frustration and the delays must be addressed. So I am urging the Electoral Commission to ensure that they have a backup system. We are told that previously they used to have a system where even when the network was down, they had an offline system which was readily available for registration. So that when the system comes up, it picks immediately.

          “I am told that the new system is a bit cumbersome. So if they can work at it and ensure that they have an effective offline system which will allow for registration when the network is down, because as of now, the frustrations are one too many,” he said.

        4. Guns reportedly fired at Cape Coast North voters registration centre

          Guns reportedly fired at Cape Coast North voters registration centre

          Gunshots were reportedly heard at a voter registration centre in the Cape Coast North constituency of the Central Region.

          According to Adom News’ Kofi Adjei, the shots were fired by individuals purportedly guarding the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, Horace Ekow Ewusi.

          The incident occurred on Thursday morning and was allegedly aimed at preventing the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from registering a group of individuals bused in from Moree in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese constituency.

          Tensions escalated at the voter registration centre as NPP members vowed to prevent NDC members from registering in the ongoing limited registration exercise.

          This led to a confrontation between NPP and NDC members, culminating in the firing of gunshots. During the altercation, the phone of the NDC constituency Youth Organizer, Godfred Onso Nyameye, was reportedly seized, further exacerbating the situation.

          Following the incident, Mr. Ewusi was chased from the registration center and forced into his car, which then drove away. As of now, no arrests have been made.

        5. 2 alleged NDC executives exchange blows during voter registration at Ablekuma North

          2 alleged NDC executives exchange blows during voter registration at Ablekuma North

          Violence erupted at a voter registration centre in Ablekuma North on Tuesday, May 7, as two alleged executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) engaged in a physical altercation.

          Reports indicate that one of the individuals involved has been hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the fight.

          It is unknown the cause of the fisticuff.

          The incident occurred at the Ablekuma North District Office of the Electoral Commission, where delays in setting up the software for the registration of new voters caused the commencement of the exercise to be delayed by more than two hours.

          Although voting was scheduled to begin at 0700 hours, the first person was not registered until about 0950 hours.

          According to reports, staff of the Electoral Commission were prepared and ready to register voters by 0700 hours, but technical difficulties with the software hampered their efforts to start the exercise on time.

        6. EC fails to issue a single voter ID card in Bimbilla over technical issue

          EC fails to issue a single voter ID card in Bimbilla over technical issue

          The limited voter registration exercise in Bimbilla, Northern Region, faced an unexpected halt due to a technical issue affecting the printing of voter cards.

          Despite the registration kick-off, not a single card had been printed, attributed to a nationwide technical problem, according to the Electoral Commission (EC) boss.

          Meanwhile, tension flared between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Awutu Senya West over registration priority.

          The exercise, which commenced smoothly on Tuesday morning, saw confusion arise as both parties sought to prioritize their members’ registration.

          Adom News’ Kofi Adjei reported a queue system in place for applicants, but NPP executives allegedly attempted to have their supporters registered first, citing early arrival.

          The NDC resisted, leading to heated exchanges, ultimately requiring police intervention to restore order at the registration center.

        7. Chaos erupts between NPP-NDC during voter registration in Awutu Senya West

          Chaos erupts between NPP-NDC during voter registration in Awutu Senya West

          Tensions have escalated among supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Awutu Senya West during the ongoing voter registration exercise.

          Confusion arose as both parties sought to prioritise the registration of their members.

          Adom News correspondent Kofi Adjei reported that a queue system was established to facilitate the process.

          Allegedly, NPP executives attempted to ensure their members were registered first, citing their early arrival.

          However, the NDC resisted, leading to heated confrontations.

          Police officers deployed to the registration centre intervened to restore order.

        8. Voter registration: EC is hindering people from registering – Kofi Bentil claims

          Voter registration: EC is hindering people from registering – Kofi Bentil claims

          Lawyer and Senior Vice President of IMANI-Africa, Kofi Bentil has accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of disfranchising many Ghanaians in the ongoing voter registration

          He asserts that the EC has the resources and is required by the Constitution to expand and carry out particular programmes.

          The Electoral Commissioners’ positions could be terminated if there is any deviation from this constitutional mandate, according to Mr. Bentil.

          Mr. Bentil explained on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday that the problem is not just about ignoring obligations but also about actively preventing people from registering.

          “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.”

          In his opinion, the EC should proactively implement measures to improve voter registration in order to overcome obstacles.

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

        9. Overnight queues formed by applicants in Ashanti Region at Voter Registration sites

          Overnight queues formed by applicants in Ashanti Region at Voter Registration sites

          During the limited voter registration exercise in the Asokore Mampong Municipality, several applicants resorted to spending the night at various registration centers.

          This decision came after several days of unsuccessful attempts to complete their registrations.

          These applicants found themselves in competition with political party agents who, in their bid to secure positions in the queue for their potential voters, resorted to using stones and other objects as makeshift placeholders.

          As the clock ticked past 3 AM, and with the dawn light accompanied by increasing rainfall, the gates of the Electoral Commission’s Asokore Mampong office remained closed. However, outside the office, a unique scene unfolded.

          Stones and chairs were meticulously arranged in a queue formation. Each stone symbolized an applicant, while the benches represented three or more people.

          As time passed, some newcomers attempted to form a separate human queue, but this was met with resistance from those who had diligently maintained their positions using stones and chairs.

          A branch women’s organizer for the NDC in Asawase Constituency, Seida Alhassan who was in the middle of the misunderstanding alleges, “I am a branch organizer for my political party. I am bringing my party members to register that is why I came this early to queue for them. I could have slept in my house. I was here when you brought your children to queue, I even offered seats for them, how do you come and skip our queue here?”

          Numerous individuals are grappling with growing frustration, having invested hours waiting in queues since the commencement of the exercise.

          For some applicants, their relentless dedication to queuing has stretched over a period of at least two days, and yet, they have not achieved their objective.

          These applicants earnestly implore authorities to implement measures that can alleviate their mounting frustration and expedite the registration process.

          “We have been quarreling since we got here at 4 am. I got the chance to register around 11 a.m. People are queuing with stones and benches. I have to find a way to jump the queue,” Mustapha Mohammed said.

          Figures available to Joy News indicate the electoral commission is unable to meet the daily target of three hundred. About 80 applicants were registered on the first day.

          On the second and third days of the exercise, the number of successful applicants remained under 300.

          Meanwhile, the volume of applicants continues to surge, with interest groups pushing for an expansion of registration centers from the Electoral Commission. However, these efforts have not yet yielded the desired results.

        10. EC instructs officials to conduct offline voter registration when necessary

          EC instructs officials to conduct offline voter registration when necessary

          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 Ghana News Agency 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 by the Ghana News Agency. As a result, the registration process commenced as late as 1000 hours in certain centers.

          The registration exercise concluded at 1700 hours and will continue until October 2.

        11. Voter Registration: Let’s avoid fixing what isn’t broken – Kpebu

          Voter Registration: Let’s avoid fixing what isn’t broken – Kpebu

          A private Lawyer, Martin Kpebu, has argued that the Electoral Commission (EC) should retain the guarantor system for voter registration.

          He said a system that is not broken should not be fixed.

          “Let’s not fix something that’s not broken. We have been using this guarantor system for voter registration for decades,” he said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, March 4.

          Bawku Central Member of Parliament Mahama Ayariga also said he does not understand the argument of the EC regarding the Constitutional Instrument (CI) that is seeking to use the Ghana Card as the sole identity document for voter registration.

          Mr Ayariga says the guarantor system in voter registration should be maintained.

          “The electoral commissioner is saying the main issue is the guarantor system. The clear fact that they detected minor persons and deleted them means the system works so there’s no threat to the voter’s register,” he also said on the Key Points on TV3 Saturday, March 4.

          He added “I expect that you will have a very meticulous view of your own work. I don’t understand this argument about the guarantor system.”

          The Chair of the EC Jean Mensa earlier this week stated that the Ghana Card will not be used to vote in the 2024 general elections but for the voter registration exercise.

          Briefing Parliament on the proposed CI that is seeking to make the Ghana Card the sole identification document for voter registration, on Tuesday, February 28 Madam Jean Mensa said the use of Ghana will ensure the credibility and integrity of the voter register.

          “It is important to rehash that the use of the Ghana Card as the sole document of identification will ensure and guarantee the credibility and integrity of our register and elections, it will prevent the enrolment of minors to register, it will prevent foreigners from being registered to vote and it will eliminate the guarantor system which is prone to abuse and which promotes conflicts and violence.”

          “The Ghana Card will not be used for voting in 2024, it will be used to register,” she added.