The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is set to embark on a three-day mop-up voter registration exercise from Thursday, August 1 to Saturday, August 3, 2024. This initiative aims to register between 50,000 and 70,000 new voters, primarily targeting individuals who recently turned 18 or missed previous registration opportunities.
During a press conference in Accra, Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman of the EC in charge of Operations, outlined the comprehensive plans for the exercise. The registration will be conducted across 268 District Offices, 26 Public Universities, and 41 Prison Centres nationwide. The registration hours are set from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.
“The registration process will be exclusively online. To facilitate this, the EC is collaborating with Mobile Telecommunication Network (MTN) to ensure stable internet connectivity across all registration centers.”
Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman of the EC in charge of Operations
The EC previously conducted a Limited Voter Registration Exercise from May 7 to 29, 2024, successfully registering 778,447 new voters. This cohort comprised 408,332 females (52.45%) and 370,115 males (47.55%). With the addition of these new registrants, the current provisional number of registered voters stands at 18,681,366.
Mr. Tettey stated, “The mop-up voter registration exercise forms part of our measures to ensure an all-inclusive Voters Register ahead of the 2024 General Election.”
Eligible applicants are required to present a Ghana Card or Ghana Passport at the designated registration centres. For those without these documents, the option to be vouched for by two registered voters is available.
However, Mr. Tettey clarified, “Registered voters can only guarantee for 10 persons. This means anyone who guaranteed for 10 persons in the last registration exercise does not qualify to guarantee for other applicants in the mop-up exercise.”
Guarantors must verify that the individuals they are supporting are Ghanaians, at least 18 years old, and meet other registration requirements, including residency in the electoral area.
Political Parties and Security Measures
Political parties are permitted to send agents to observe the registration process. Mr. Tettey urged these agents to behave professionally to ensure a smooth, incident-free exercise.
“The Commission has informed the Ghana Police Service about the mop-up exercise,” he said, adding that security will be present at the registration centers to maintain a peaceful environment.
In addition to the mop-up registration exercise, the EC has scheduled August 20 to 27, 2024, for the exhibition of the Voters Register at all polling stations across the country.
“All registered voters are encouraged to go to their polling stations to check that their names are in the Voters Register or use the shortcode to electronically check their names.”
Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy Chairman of the EC in charge of Operations
The mop-up registration exercise is a critical step in ensuring that all eligible Ghanaians are able to participate in the democratic process. The EC’s efforts to accommodate new voters and those who missed previous opportunities reflect a commitment to inclusivity and electoral integrity.
As the country prepares for the upcoming general elections, these measures will play a crucial role in ensuring a comprehensive and accurate Voters Register.
READ ALSO: BoG’s Steady Policy Rate, A Catalyst for Stability and Investment in the Ghana Stock Market- Analyst
