Security personnel part of the special voting exercise in the Easter Region have been turned away from polling stations as a result of omission of their names from the register.
The voting exercise currently ongoing in the Eastern Region has a total of 7,893 eligible voters expected to take part in the exercise across thirty three constituencies.
The New Juaben South Chairman of NDC, Mensah Joseph Tawiah along with Salas Agyekum, the New Juaben South Constituency Vice Chairman of the NPP, although satisfied over the conduct of the exercise, however advised the Electoral Commission and the Police administration to ensure that voters who encountered missing names in the register are given opportunity to vote.
The special voting exercise begun with a total number of 109,577 security personnel and other individuals from various disciplines in some 275 centres across the country.
Persons involved in the early voting includes personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces, National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), National Security, Ghana Immigration Service, Ghana National Fire Service, and Information Services Department.
Also, members of the National Ambulance Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Prisons Service, Ghana Journalists Association, Ghana Police Service and National Media Commission.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa, in a media interaction on Monday, assured of a smooth election with the necessary logistics have been deployed in sufficient quantities to the various constituencies.
Additionally, she noted that, election officials have been effectively prepared and stand in readiness to deliver a credible election.
“The special voting exercise will take place at selected locations in all 275 constituencies on the 1st of December 2020. All is set for the special voting. Our officers have been recruited and trained and stand in readiness to deliver a free, seamless, peaceful and orderly process. All materials have been distributed in sufficient quantities and this included the COVID-19 materials, stringent COVID-19 protocols will be put in place and observed. The Biometric Verification Devices have been prepared and deployed.”
The Electoral Commission had earlier reiterated its intent to declare the results 24 hours after voting.
Speaking at the “Let the Citizen Know” interaction with the media, she noted that, the current Constitutional Instrument mandated the regional directors to collate results of constituencies in their regions and forward it to the EC Headquarters.
“Unlike the past, when the EC Chair collated results from all the 275 constituencies in the country, this year I will be receiving collated results from the 16 regions making it easier for the results to be declared,” she said.
Commenting on the logistical operations and preparedness in various centers, Mrs. Jean Mensa stressed that, all regional and the district officers have been trained, equipped, and tasked to submit their report by specific times after vote close.
She also added that, “in the Afram Plains, boats will be on standby while in the other hard-to-reach areas special vehicles and security will be made available”.
Meanwhile, The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama has urged security personnel to vote for the party in the ongoing special voting exercise.
According to him, the NPP government have acted contrarily in the fulfillment of their promises.
“You all know the current sad state of affairs in our beloved country. The living conditions of Ghanaians continue to worsen. Economic hardship is the order of the day.
“Yet, this government has turned out to be the most corrupt in the history of our 4th Republic. Ghana is now ruled by a small cabal of family and friends who have no respect for laid down procedures. As a result, the Akufo-Addo government has sacrificed time-tested conventions, rules and regulations in the security services and all sectors of our nation.”
