The Electoral Commission of Ghana says nine in ten registered voters intends to vote come December 7.
The commission said this on the back of a survey conducted by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD – Ghana) from September to October 2020.
In this survey, registered voters were asked “How likely are you to vote in the December 2020 election?” and these registered voters were simultaneously presented with the following four alternative answers to choose from;
- I will probably vote/ I will vote
- I will not vote/ I will probably not vote
- Maybe yes, maybe no
- Don’t know
Out of these provided alternative answers, 89% of the total number of people who partook in the survey said they will probably vote or they are certain they will vote.
On the other hand, 6% of the number also said they have no intention to vote come December 7.
The Electoral commission however is admonishing registered voters to exercise their constitutional rights as Ghanaians to vote and have a say in the election of the nation’s leaders as we near the election 2020 polls.
In 19 days, Ghanaians will again, for the eighth time, under the Fourth Republic, elect new or re-elect incumbent leaders to steer the nation’s affairs.
However, unlike other election years, COVID-19 has become a factor in preparations leading to the December 7 polls. Health safety has been a major concern of voters as election 2020 draws near.
That notwithstanding, the Electoral Commission has assured voters that, the commission is fully prepared to do its bit to ensure a safe polling stations in order to guarantee the safety of voters as well as EC staff at the polling stations. The commission again mentioned that, the safety protocols outlined by the health experts are going to be strictly applied to the latter come December 7.
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs. Jean Mensa in a speech delivered on November 8, 2020 to the leadership of parliament on the preparation of the commission towards the 2020 elections said the commission has procured and disturbed items that are going to be used in order to ensure the safety of voters and EC staff on Election Day.
“We put in place stringent COVID- 19 protocols to help curb the spread of the virus. The items procured and distributed include the following: Thermometer Guns, Veronica Buckets, Sanitizers, Liquid Soap and, Tissue Paper.”
She also made mention of the deployment of Special Officials called COVID-19 Ambassadors to all polling stations throughout the country. She said they will see to the enforcement of the COVID-19 protocols and ensure effective usage of the supplied COVID-19 safety items at the polling stations.
“Special Officials named the COVID-19 Ambassadors will be deployed to all thirty-eight thousand, six hundred and twenty-two (38,622) Polling Stations throughout the country. Their duty will be to ensure that the sufficient supply of COVID items to the Centers are put to effective use.”
