The National Democratic Congress Director of IT and Elections, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, has shared crucial updates from the latest Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting held with the Electoral Commission (EC).
According to him, the meeting addressed significant issues surrounding the upcoming voter registration exercise, logistical challenges, and discrepancies in registration figures.
Highlighting the key takeaways of the meeting, Dr Omane Boamah stated that the Electoral Commission of Ghana would hold a mop-up registration exercise scheduled to take place from August 1st to August 3rd, 2024.
“This exercise aims to ensure that all eligible voters who missed the initial registration period have another opportunity to register”, he noted.
Dr Omane Boamah further pointed out that the registration will be conducted across all 268 district offices, 41 prison centers, and 26 public universities nationwide.
Dr. Omane Boamah emphasized the importance of this exercise in ensuring comprehensive voter registration ahead of the December 2024 elections.
Addressing Network and Logistical Challenges
Again, the opposition party’s IT and Elections Director indicated that during the meeting, the EC assured all stakeholders that issues related to network disruptions and other logistical challenges experienced during previous registration phases would be thoroughly addressed.
He indicated that the Electoral Commission’s commitment to resolving these problems is crucial for the smooth operation of the upcoming registration exercise.
Dr. Omane Boamah highlighted the significance of these assurances in building trust and ensuring an efficient registration process.
Concerns Over Registration Figures
A major point of contention during the meeting according to the National Democratic Congress Director of IT and Elections was the registration figures presented by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Madam Jean Mensa to Parliament.
According to Dr. Omane Boamah, he and other stakeholders present in the meeting raised concerns about the accuracy of the figures as presented by the Electoral Commission’s chairperson, suggesting they included multiple registrants and names on the exception list.
“Indeed, the EC was taken aback with the revelation and tried to explain that the figures included multiple registrants and the exception list. We proved them wrong, which culminated in the call of their IT to come and explain”.
Dr Edward Omane Boamah , Director of IT and Elections, National Democratic Congress
This development, Dr Omane Boamah underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Restoration of Missing Names in the Voters Register
Moreover, the former Minister of Communications under the erstwhile NDC and Mahama’s administration, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah stated that the Electoral Commission informed IPAC members that all missing names from the voter register has been restored.
Dr. Omane Boamah urged all political parties to encourage their members to verify their registration details during the upcoming exhibition exercise.
He posited that such a step is critical to ensuring that all eligible voters are correctly listed and can participate in the elections.
On the updated electoral calendar, Dr Omane Boamah pointed out that the EC expressed its commitment to updating its electoral calendar and forwarding it to all political parties.
This updated calendar, he believes will provide a clear timeline of all upcoming electoral activities, ensuring that all stakeholders are adequately informed and can plan accordingly.
Additionally, Dr Omane Boamah mentioned that in line with Constitutional Instrument (CI) 91, the EC agreed to publish the Provisional Voters Register on their official website.
This move, he emphasized aims to enhance transparency and allow the public to scrutinize the register, ensuring that any discrepancies are promptly addressed.
The commitment shown by the EC and the active involvement of political stakeholders underscores the collective effort to strengthen Ghana’s democratic foundations.
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