The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has hinted at a significant shift in the closing time for polling stations during the 2024 general elections.
The proposal, articulated by Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, the Chair of the Commission, suggested closing the polls at 3 PM instead of the customary 5 PM.
The rationale behind this proposed change is to enhance the transparency and orderliness of the voting process.
“In 2020, 70 percent of our polling centers had a voter threshold of 500 and below. This time we intend to ensure that all our polling station centers have a threshold of 500 voters and below.
“We believe that this will go a long way to reduce the long queues that characterize our elections and allow for a smooth, seamless, hustle-free voting process… Based on our 2020 experience and also feedback from several observer groups we propose to close the polls at 3 PM.”
Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa
Mrs. Mensa presented this proposal during an interparty dialogue and stock-taking conference organized by the National Peace Council in Accra on Thursday, December 14. According to her, the experience gained from the 2020 elections has informed the decision to adjust the closing time.
“Our experience in 2020 reveals that by 1 pm 70 percent of our polling stations were empty of voters as most voters had cast their votes. This made it possible because the threshold of most polling centers was reduced to 500 voters per voting center.”
Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa
“In 2020, it took voters not more than five minutes to cast their votes due to the introduction of this policy”, she added.
Furthermore, she underscored that this was coupled with the robust verification devices that were deployed to the polling stations. Thus, the commission expressed conviction of closing the polls at 3 pm. According to the commission, this will afford the electoral officers to count and collate in broad daylight which will essentially promote the needed transparency and the desired orderliness.
Additionally, EC indicated that there is a plan to increase the number of polling stations nationwide.
A Shift For Safety
The proposed early closure of polls at 3 PM is viewed as a strategic move to capitalize on the observation that a significant proportion of voters had already cast their votes by 1 PM in the 2020 elections.
While this proposed change may initially surprise some voters accustomed to the traditional polling hours, the EC aims to balance the need for a more efficient voting process with the importance of maintaining transparency.
The forthcoming 2024 elections may witness a departure from the norm, as the EC endeavors to create an electoral environment that minimizes queues, ensures swift voting procedures, and upholds the principles of transparency and orderliness.
Also, in anticipation of ‘planned’ violent clashes during elections, there is a pressing need for the Electoral Commission (EC) to consider closing polling stations early. The proposed 3 PM closing time, as suggested by EC Chair Mrs. Jean Adukwei Mensa, holds promise in mitigating the risk of escalating violence.
By concluding the voting process earlier, potential flashpoints can be addressed swiftly, preventing the deterioration of situations that might lead to unrest. Early closure provides electoral officers with ample daylight hours to collate and announce results, minimizing the chances of tensions escalating after dark.
The safety and well-being of voters, and officials, and the integrity of the electoral process are paramount considerations in adopting measures that prioritize the prevention of violence during elections. Particularly given the insecurity in the sub-region, this will be a proactive precautionary measure to safeguard Ghana’s enviable democracy.
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