Josiah
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has unequivocally assured that no eligible Ghanaian desiring to register for the 2024 general election will be deprived of their voting rights. She affirmed that the commission has implemented the necessary measures to ensure that all eligible individuals are included in the voter registration.
Addressing concerns that the EC was attempting to disenfranchise eligible voters, Mrs. Mensa disclosed to the Daily Graphic that the commission plans to launch a continuous registration exercise nationwide next year, aiming to register all qualified individuals. The EC had already commenced a limited voter registration exercise on September 12, targeting individuals who turned 18 after the previous registration period. It also offered an opportunity for those who hadn’t previously registered to have their names added to the voter roll.
Amid public and political party concerns that the EC might be intentionally hindering some eligible individuals from participating in the registration process, Mrs. Mensa reassured the public during the Let the Citizens Know series on September 18. She reported that, within six days of the exercise, 182,931 individuals had been registered. She emphasized the commission’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ constitutional right to vote, stating unequivocally, “We do not intend to disenfranchise eligible voters. It is in our interest to register them all.”
Mrs. Mensa underscored the EC’s previous accomplishment of registering 17,027,000 voters in 2020 and affirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards. Addressing concerns about the use of 268 offices for the limited registration exercise, she clarified that this exercise was solely an update of the register and not a full registration. She assured that there would be additional registration exercises before the 2024 elections.
In an effort to promote an inclusive and participatory registration process, the EC plans to institute continuous registration at all district offices nationwide in 2024 for an extended period. Additionally, the commission will identify areas that are difficult to access and conduct mop-up registration exercises in those regions.
Mrs. Mensa urged the public to assist the commission in preventing ineligible individuals from infiltrating the registration process. She stressed that while every effort is being made to register all eligible persons, the EC is equally committed to ensuring that ineligible voters do not make it onto the voter roll. She also called on individuals planning to include minors on the register to refrain from such actions and encouraged citizens to report illegal practices.
Source :Graphic.com.gh
