CDD-Ghana raises concerns about EC’s limited voter registration

Paul Aborampah-Mensah, Programmes Manager at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), has expressed concern that the forthcoming limited voter registration exercise at the district offices of the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) could disenfranchise a large number of individuals.

He stated that the move is even against the constitution, which requires the EC to facilitate a registration process that allows every eligible Ghanaian to register for free or at a minimal cost.

Mr. Aborampah-Mensah stated on Wednesday, September 6, that the EC has yet to abolish the guarantor system, so the situation will worsen during the impending registration.

"When they made the official announcement and it was revealed that, in addition to the Ghana Card, they are now considering reactivating the vouching system so that people who do not have the Ghana Card can also be guaranteed to register by having two people vouch for them, it meant that the person who is going to register would have to travel to the district office with two other people.

The situation deteriorated as a result of all the factors we were contemplating.

This concern arises after the EC announced the start of the limited voter registration from Tuesday, September 12 to Monday, October 2.

Each day, the exercise is anticipated to take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Already, numerous political parties have resisted the exercise's mode, urging the EC to expand the centers to electoral districts.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), the main opposition party, desires that the exercise be conducted in electoral districts as required by law.

In a Facebook Live session on Wednesday, NDC's 2024 candidate John Dramani Mahama demanded that the EC reconsider its decision to limit voter registration to its district offices only.

"It is also our very strong recommendation that, in accordance with regulation 22(b) of CI 91 as amended by CI 126, the Commission heeds the demand for the exercise to be extended beyond the Commission's district offices and into the electoral areas.

This will reduce many inconveniences, including transportation, lack of funds to relocate from remote locations, and accessibility.

According to Mr. Aborampah-Mensah, this is a national issue that cannot be fought by a single party.

He stated that people are already hesitant to register for the voter ID card, which was previously used for many other purposes, such as establishing a bank account.

However, he disclosed that the Ghana Card has replaced the voter ID, so any restrictions that perpetuate voter apathy must be eliminated.