The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson E.K. Dafeamekpor Esq. has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana to withdraw a directive issued to the Ghana Police Service requesting the Police Service to compile its Special Voters List ahead of the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
However, the directive from the Electoral Commission is in response to the need for officers engaged in election-related activities on Election Day, December 7, 2024, to participate in special voting due to potential constraints preventing them from voting on the designated day.
“I have chanced on a Police Wireless Message with reference number ORINO: CD. 136/186/08/27 under the heading RE – COMPILATION OF SPECIAL VOTERS-LIST FOR 2024 PRESIDENTIAL AND PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS.
“Contained in the Message is “FOLLOWING THE REQUEST MADE BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF GHANA TO SUBMIT LIST OF PERSONNEL WHO WILL TAKE PART IN THE SPECIAL VOTING SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE ON MONDAY 02/12/2024”
Rockson-Nelson E.K. Dafeamekpor, Esq
The Honorable Dafeamekpor commenting on the letter, raised concerns regarding the timing of the Electoral Commission’s directive, citing perceived discrepancies in the Commission’s electoral calendar.
He pointed out that the Electoral Commission’s planned activities, including limited voter registration scheduled between May 7 and May 27, followed by vote transfer, register exhibitions, and compilation of the Final Voters Register, indicate a window for individuals to register before applying for special voting.
The South Dayi Member of Parliament thus argued that the Electoral Commission’s directive to the Ghana Police Service to submit names of officers for the Special Voters List before some would have the opportunity to register as voters is unconstitutional.
He strongly asserted that the directives if not reversed have the tendency to deprive some officers of the service of their right to universal adult suffrage as enshrined in the 1992 constitution of Ghana.
”From the Commission’s programme outline, between 17th June to 1st July 2024, the Commission will receive applications for special voters and complete the process of compilation of the special voters’ list.
“From any reasonable appreciation of the outline, it would stand to reason that this was to enable all those who are yet to enter the voter roll, to do so before one could apply for special voting. This does not exclude our Service men and women”.
Rockson-Nelson E.K. Dafeamekpor, Esq
Furthermore, the opposition National Democratic Congress Member of Parliament for South Dayi also explained that on consistent basis, the Ghana Police Service continue to recruit and train new officers to carry out its police duties, hence it is therefore likely possible, that some of the newly recruited officers are yet to register and have their names recorded on the voters’ register.
Honourable Rockson Nelson Dafeamekpor thus strongly criticized what he deemed as the perceived haste in the Electoral Commission’s directive, arguing that such directives might be a strategic move to ensure officers are available for deployment on Election Day rather than exercising their voting rights.
Honourable Dafeamekpor also emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional rights while ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.
He concluded his statement by stressing the need for the Electoral Commission to withdraw the directive promptly, warning that it not only undermines the ability of the police to deploy personnel for election security but also raises concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process.
The call for the withdrawal of the EC’s directive highlights the growing tensions and scrutiny surrounding the electoral process in the country as it prepares for the crucial 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.
