The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that it is not possible to extend the deadline for the ongoing limited voters registration exercise, citing feasibility issues.
Despite experiencing technical challenges in the early stages, the Commission stated that the voter registration process has been progressing smoothly and efficiently, with no reported hindrances, since the third day.
The voter registration process, which began on May 7, 2024, is currently underway and will conclude on May 27, 2024, as scheduled by the Commission.
On Tuesday, the Deputy EC Chair for Operations, Samuel Tettey, told journalists in a press conference that the allocated 21-day period for the voter registration exercise is adequate.
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Mr. Tettey said the initial surge in numbers, which led to long queues at some registration centers during the first week, has given way to a more manageable turnout in many areas, with a week still remaining in the registration process.
“This is good enough to cover all difficult areas that the Commission earmarked,” he said.
He further noted that the EC has dispatched mobile teams to remote and inaccessible areas, ensuring that applicants who face challenges reaching the district registration centers have an opportunity to participate in the registration process.
“We don’t actually think that at this time it is even feasible for anyone to call for an extension,” Mr Tettey added.
The EC’s data, updated as of May 19, 2024, shows that 522,025 new voters have been added to the roll. Significantly, 85.52% of these new voters (446,416) are young people between 18 and 21 years old, who are exercising their right to vote for the first time.
The gender distribution of the 522,025 registered voters reveals a majority of females, comprising 52.79% (275,570) of the total, while males constitute 47.21% (246,455).
Again, the registration process has been inclusive, with a total of 813 individuals with disabilities registered nationwide.
“The total number of challenged cases across the country stands at 7,821,” he said.
Regional breakdown
The Greater Accra region has registered 74,420 voters (14.3 per cent); North East, 14,147 (2.7 per cent); Upper East, 20,125 (3.9 per cent); Northern, 47, 948 (9.2 per cent); Bono, 20,886 (4.0 per cent); Bono East, 18,861 (3.6 per cent); Volta, 26, 486 (5.1 per cent); Upper West, 15, 652 (3.0 per cent); Eastern, 48,563 (9.3 per cent); Central, 56, 141 (10.8 per cent), and Ahafo, 10, 861 (2.1 per cent).
The remaining registrations are Ashanti, 90,480 (17.3 per cent), Western North; 16, 225 (3.1 per cent); Oti; 14, 844 (2.8 per cent); Savannah 12, 767 (2.4 per cent); and Western Region, 33, 609 (6.4 per cent).
The Electoral Commission again in a press conference on May 21, 2024, has dismissed claims of using missing biometric voter registration (BVR) Kits to register people secretly and urged the general public to disregard the allegations.
This comes at the back of a press conference organised by a group called Election Watch Ghana led by Mark Ewusi, which alleged that the electoral commission was using stolen BVR kits to register people secretly.
The EC clarified that they never reported stolen BVR kits but reported five missing laptops and further informed security agencies and all stakeholders. EC said describing the missing laptops as BVRs is a deliberate attempt to deceive the public.
