The Director of IT and Elections for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Edward Omane Boamah has emphasized the necessity for transparency in the Electoral Commission’s (EC) ongoing compilation of the Special Voters list.
The list, according to the opposition party’s national officer is pivotal for ensuring a smooth electoral process, comprises officers from various security services, polling officials, Electoral Commission permanent staff, and members of the media, as per Regulation 23 of CI127.
Dr. Boamah underscored the agreement with the Electoral Commission that to prevent gerrymandering and facilitate easy identification, all applicants for special voting should apply directly to the Returning Officer of the constituency where they are already registered, voters.
This stipulation, outlined in Regulation 27, Sub Regulation 3, according to Dr Omane Boamah will ensures that Special Voters cannot cast their votes in constituencies where they are not already registered.
“NB: For emphasis, to qualify to participate in special voting, the special voter must be a registered voter in that constituency. If you’re not already a registered voter in a particular constituency, you can not apply to vote as a special voter in that constituency (Regulation 23 of CI127)”.
Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Director of IT and Election, National Democratic Congress
Further emphasizing the prevention of abuse and the need for easy identification, Dr Omane Boamah highlighted that heads of security services and media organizations must submit lists of their officers desiring to apply for special voting.
These lists, he noted should serve as a register to facilitate the process, according to CI127, Regulation 23, Sub Regulation 2b.
He added that each list must include the names of applicants, their voter identification numbers, and polling station codes as indicated on their voter identification cards.
Furthermore, the former Minister of Communications under the erstwhile Mahama’s administration emphasized that the submission of this detailed information would enable Returning Officers to verify the registration status of each applicant within the constituency.
Compliance and Transparency
Highlighting the opposition National Democratic Congress’s commitment to ensure a free and transparent electoral process, Dr Boamah underscored the party’s commitment to meticulously scrutinize the submitted lists to ensure compliance and transparency.
He reiterated the Electoral Commission’s commitment to using the particulars provided to verify the registration of special voters within their respective constituencies.
Additionally, Dr. Boamah reminded registered voters to replace lost or damaged voter ID cards, noting that the replacement process by the Electoral Commission is ongoing.
He highlighted a special provision for victims of the Volta River and Lake Floods, who are exempt from paying fees for replacing their voter identification cards, urging all victims to take advantage of such provisions.
He emphasized that the call for transparency and adherence to the country’s electoral regulations underscores the importance of a credible and fair electoral process, ensuring that all special voters are appropriately registered and verified within their constituencies.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has opened applications for special voting for qualified institutions and individuals, which has been fixed for Monday, December 2, 2024.
According to the Commission, it will close the applications for qualified persons who have a just cause to be granted special voting rights to apply on July 1., adding that the special voting will not be conferred automatically, requiring qualified persons to apply for it.
The Electoral Commission further noted that the special voting exercise would take place in all 276 constituencies across the country, with each voter expected to cast their vote in their constituency as contained in the details of an individual’s Voter ID card.
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