The Editor in Chief of the New Crusading Guide Newspaper, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako has disclosed that information privy to him indicates the country’s airports may be opened to Ghanaians living abroad to aid them register their names on the voter roll.
This according to him, may happen on the 1st of September or the first week in September, next month.
The veteran journalist let this out on News File, a news analysis programme on Joy News, monitored by Vault News, Saturday, August 15, 2020.
However, he pointed out that, the country’s land borders will remain shut.
Speaking on the programme, Mr Baako said,
“I have friends outside, in fact I had two or three messages the last week, wondering what happens to them especially with the airport closed. But in doing some checks within the corridors of power, hint drops into my ears that possibly the airport, the emphasis is on the airport, might be reopened. I think first September or first week of September. The land borders will remain closed for whatever reason. And that is the information I got.”
He suggested there could be more time for Ghanaians abroad if the air border is opened.
“When you register, and I think I heard the EC official say this, when you register and its 50 days to the time you cannot vote but I’m not sure its 50 days yet, there’s still more time isn’t it?
“So, assuming the airport was opened on September 1st and people came in by September 6th, they can register and vote, there will be time.”
However, the time within which an individual can register and be considered eligible to vote in the general elections on 7th December is limited by law. According to the EC, by law, the voter register will be closed 60 days to elections.
Speaking on Kessben FM in Kumasi, on August 15, 2020 the Director of Electoral Services at the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Serebour Quaicoe confirmed that all Ghanaians locked up in foreign countries will get the chance to be registered though the nation-wide exercise has already ended.
“We have now till October to compile names of those locked up in other countries. If the ban on borders is lifted or in case any of them is able to get his way through the country, we will register them.”
He also noted that, when “Ghanaians who just came from Lebanon” go through their 14 days quarantine successfully, they will be registered if they want to “register.”
President Akufo-Addo closed Ghana’s borders as part of some measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 several months ago.
“Our border, by air, land and sea, remains closed until further notice for human traffic. However, given that there are Ghana residents stranded abroad, special dispensation is going to be given for their evacuation back to Ghana, where they will be subjected to the mandatory quarantine and safety protocols.”
