Limited voter registration – Adomonline.com https://www.adomonline.com Your comprehensive news portal Fri, 17 May 2024 08:33:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.adomonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cropped-Adomonline140-32x32.png Limited voter registration – Adomonline.com https://www.adomonline.com 32 32 Limited voter registration: 2 Nigerians arrested in Asokore Mampong https://www.adomonline.com/limited-voter-registration-2-nigerians-arrested-in-asokore-mampong/ Fri, 17 May 2024 08:33:14 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2396196 Police in Asokore Mampong, located in the Ashanti Region, have detained two foreign nationals who attempted to participate in the voter registration exercise in the area.

The individuals, identified as Nigerian citizens, were unable to provide satisfactory explanations to Electoral Commission (EC) officials and law enforcement officers regarding their presence at the registration centre.

Despite encountering technical challenges nationwide during the initial phase of the ongoing voter registration exercise, electoral officials in Asokore have successfully registered a total of 2,304 individuals as of Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

However, electoral officers have identified approximately six instances of double registration, in addition to the apprehension of the two foreign nationals on Thursday, May 16.

Angela Afiriyie Osei, the District Officer of the EC in Asokore Mampong, has issued a warning to individuals who do not meet the qualifications to participate in the registration exercise, urging them to refrain from attempting to register.

Meanwhile, the Police has revealed that, those detained are currently undergoing interrogation.

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Limited voter registration: Campaign to register over 2 million free SHS graduates https://www.adomonline.com/limited-voter-registration-campaign-to-register-over-2-million-free-shs-graduates/ Thu, 16 May 2024 15:07:22 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2395941 The Coalition of Free Senior High School Graduates in the Ashanti Region has encouraged first-time voters to participate in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

The group has begun a sensitization campaign to register over 2 million beneficiaries of the Free Senior High School Program across the country.

According to the group, the call for participation is to ensure the sustainability of the education programme.

With placards, the Coalition of Free Senior High School Graduates embarked on a sensitization campaign across various districts in the Ashanti Region.

The sensitization program is to encourage first-time voters to participate in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

According to the group, first-time voters must participate in the exercise to enable them exercise their franchise in the December 7 election to help sustain the Free SHS program.

“We need all first-time voters to participate in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise. Their participation in the exercise will guarantee their participation in the 2024 election. We as a group, needs their vote for the NPP to sustain the free SHS policy” a beneficiary said.

Patron of the group, Kwabena Asamoah said “We are in a registration period and as we all know, education is pivotal.”

“The free SHS policy is the most consequential policy made by the government. These graduates are out here encouraging others to participate in the registration exercise to allow Dr. Bawumia to continue the policy,” he said.

He encouraged first-time voters to participate fully in the registration exercise.

“We want everybody to participate fully in the registration exercise. It is very important for first-time voters to do so” he added.

Meanwhile, the Ashanti Regional Youth Organiser of the New Patriotic Party, Sarfo Raphael Patrick, expressed his satisfaction with the registration turnout.

“So far the numbers from the Ashanti Region is so good. One thing we love is the dedication of the first-time voters at various registration centers. We will applaud them. The numbers are massive but we will not sleep, that is why the sensitization continues” he indicated.

The Ashanti Region has taken the lead with the highest number of registrants in the first week.

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EC corrects ‘mistakes’ in limited voter registration figures https://www.adomonline.com/ec-corrects-mistakes-in-limited-voter-registration-figures/ Mon, 13 May 2024 08:24:44 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2393616 The Electoral Commission (EC) has swiftly corrected errors discovered in its publication of the daily voter registration figures during the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

Initially, the EC reported that 143,014 eligible voters had been registered by the end of day four of the exercise.

However, in a subsequent statement less than 24 hours after releasing these figures, the EC issued a follow-up statement acknowledging an error in the data for day three, specifically in the Upper East region.

The EC’s statement indicated that the figure for day three in the Upper East region had been repeated, leading to inaccuracies in the overall registration statistics.

According to the EC, this adjustment underscores its commitment to transparency and accuracy in the voter registration process, ensuring that the public receives reliable information about the ongoing exercise.

“The Electoral Commission has noted some mistakes in the daily voter registration figures earlier published. The mistakes appeared in the total registered figures stated for days two and three, although the individual regional figures were accurate, while the day three figure for Upper East was repeated for day four. All these have been corrected.”

The voter registration exercise commenced on Tuesday, May 7, with a focus on registering first-time voters and individuals seeking to obtain a voter card. Scheduled to last for 21 days, the exercise is set to conclude on May 27, 2024.

At the conclusion of the exercise, the Electoral Commission aims to add approximately 623,000 first-time voters to the voter register, enhancing the inclusivity of the electoral process.

Providing a breakdown of registration figures by region, the Greater Accra region has recorded 17,837 registered voters, followed by the North East with 3,948, the Upper East with 6,691, and the Northern region with 10,373. Other regions include Bono (4,900), Bono East (5,118), Volta (7,512), Upper West (5,256), Eastern (14,884), Central (15,434), Ahafo (3,889), and Ashanti (25,558).

Additionally, registrations from other regions include 5,638 from Western North, 4,206 from Oti, 2,989 from Savannah, and 8,781 from the Western region.

The EC says it committed to achieving its registration target by the end of the exercise, ensuring a comprehensive and accurate voter register.

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Voter registration: EC must consider extending deadline – Jane Naana https://www.adomonline.com/voter-registration-ec-must-consider-extending-deadline-jane-naana/ Thu, 09 May 2024 10:38:58 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2392119 The running mate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to consider extending the duration of the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

This is in light of disruptions and challenges encountered on the first day of the process.

During her inspection of registration centers in Accra, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang urged the EC to compensate for the lost hours or days of inactivity.

“Definitely, if there were places as I hear, where not even a single person was registered or where very few people were registered because of challenges with the machines, then definitely the EC must make up for that time.

If it is an extra day, it should be restored. Whatever it is, if it is a couple of hours, it should be extended to the following day just so that everybody registers. I think the job is to ensure that we facilitate the process so as not to frustrate people,” she stated.

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EC’s limited voter registration got off slowly due to inadequate publicity – Otokunor https://www.adomonline.com/ecs-limited-voter-registration-got-off-slowly-due-to-inadequate-publicity-otokunor/ Wed, 08 May 2024 12:38:38 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2391607 A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)’s elections directorate, Peter Boamah Otokunor, says the slow start of the Electoral Commission’s ongoing limited voter registration has been due to the Commission’s inadequate publicity efforts.

Reports of low turnout at various polling stations on the first day of registration, May 7, have prompted Otokunor to call out the EC for not doing enough to create awareness about the registration exercise.

He stated that better publicity would have resulted in a higher turnout and a smoother start to the registration process.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show on May 8, 2024, he said “This exercise started rather slowly, and it was expected because the Electoral Commission heralded the process with very low publicity, and so you would expect that public awareness would be low, which means that participation would be low.

“But there are areas where we have seen significant participation of citizens because political parties, as part of our effort to get most of our people registered, have engaged in mass mobilization exercises,” he said.

The former deputy general secretary of the NDC noted that his party had previously raised concerns regarding the location of registration centers.

According to him, the decision to place these centres in district offices could make it difficult for potential registrants to participate.

“But yesterday, day one, the numbers were rather low. We expected that it would pick up, but not without challenges. We have seen numerous challenges across board. In some instances, the exercise started very late, which got people standing in queues for a very long time. We thought that the registration process would not have such instances, but I mean, we have recorded instances where people have been in queues for a very long time and they had to get registration rather late” he noted.

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EC sets a 623,000 target for limited voter registration https://www.adomonline.com/ec-sets-a-623000-target-for-limited-voter-registration/ Mon, 06 May 2024 17:29:22 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2390719 The Electoral Commission (EC) has said that it expects to register 623,000 Ghanaians in the upcoming Limited Voter Registration exercise.

The Limited Voter Registration exercise will begin on Tuesday, May 7 to May 28, 2024 to include eligible Ghanaians in the voter’s register.

At a press briefing ahead of the exercise, the Chairperson of the Commission, Jean Adukwei Mensa said the Commission in collaboration with the political parties have selected 785 electoral areas where the registration will take place.

According to her, the Commission also intends to conduct the registration in 25 public university campuses to allow students who reside on those campuses to be included in the register.

Mrs. Mensa also denied allegations that returning officers and deputy retuning officers for the exercise were submitted to them by the various MMDCEs across the country.

She said the Commission opened application portals for interested persons to apply, after which they conducted extensive interviews and successful applicants were selected.

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Voter registration: Participate to bring the desired change – NDC urges…

NPP cautions NDC against registration of minors, foreigners 

 

 

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NPP pleased with EC’s proposals for Limited Voter Registration – Evans Nimako https://www.adomonline.com/npp-pleased-with-ecs-proposals-for-limited-voter-registration-evans-nimako/ Wed, 10 Apr 2024 02:23:35 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2379212 The Director of Elections for the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), Evans Nimako says the party is pleased with the engagement with the Electoral Commission (EC) over the limited voter registration exercise.

Speaking to JoyNews after an IPAC meeting on Tuesday, April 9, he stated that the limited voter registration exercise which is scheduled to take place from May 7 to 27 will allow Ghanaians who are not currently registered to vote the opportunity to do so.

According to Mr Nimako, the EC had planned to conduct the registration exercise at its district offices.

However, the Commission has acknowledged that some electoral areas are difficult to reach and has therefore agreed to explore alternative locations.

“Today the EC informed us that beyond the district offices, there are also some difficult-to-reach electoral areas which numbered to 775 and have also added 25 tertiary institutions to it.

“But upon further discussions, we suggested to the EC that it makes sense to look at other institutions like training colleges as well as the Senior High Schools. This is to allow our brothers and sisters who have difficulties reaching out to the registration centres at the district offices to have the opportunity to have their names registered,” he said.

Mr Nimako raised concerns about the missing Biometric Verification Devices (BVDs), stating that the Electoral Commission had announced that some of their offices had been attacked, resulting in the loss or damage to some of the devices.

“Here at the headquarters, five of their laptops which are part of the BVR components were stolen. They have made reports to the police. I think that parties are always ready to continue engaging with the EC and bring ideas on board that will enhance and deepen our democracy,” he added.

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Voter registration: EC to publish names of persons who violated guarantor system https://www.adomonline.com/voter-registration-ec-to-publish-names-of-persons-who-violated-guarantor-system/ Tue, 17 Oct 2023 21:13:12 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2306932 The Electoral Commission (EC) has reiterated that it will take action against guarantors who breached the law and guaranteed for more than 10 applicants in the just-ended limited voter registration exercise.

Despite not citing any figures, the EC said it believes some guarantors breached this law.

Briefing Ghanaians at its Let the Citizen Know series on Tuesday, the Deputy Commissioner in Charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, stated that, the names of the offenders will be published in the national dailies soon.

Mr Tettey noted that, the commission is seeking advice from the Attorney General for such persons to be prosecuted.

“Guarantors who breached the law and perpetrated the act of guaranteeing for more than 10 applicants will not go unpunished,” he announced.

The guarantor system allows a registered voter permitted to guarantee for eligible voters who lack the necessary documentation.

Per the laws governing the voter registration process, they are not permitted to guarantee for more than 10 individuals.

But Mr Tettey has emphasised that although it is in the interest of the Commission to register all eligible voters, they “will not sit aloof to let go of offenders who flout its laws.”

The EC commenced the limited registration exercise on September 12 and ended on October 2, 2023.

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Voter registration: NCCE commends citizens for peaceful exercise https://www.adomonline.com/voter-registration-ncce-commends-citizens-for-peaceful-exercise/ Thu, 05 Oct 2023 06:58:52 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2302404 The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has commended Ghanaians for their interest in the electoral processes of the country.

The Garu District Director of the NCCE in the Upper East Region, Samuel Atando Akolgo also commended the citizens, particularly for their cooperation and peaceful participation.

He said this in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) about the just-ended limited voter registration exercise by the Electoral Commission.

Civic responsibility

Mr Akolgo said the Commission during the exercise also educated the citizens on the need to be enrolled onto the voters’ register to help consolidate the democratic credentials of the country through participating in elections.

He explained that, despite the initial challenges and concerns raised, Ghanaians were able to ensure the exercise was peaceful and successful.

“The exercise was successful and peaceful, and the Commission appreciates the participation of the citizenry in the exercise. We want to encourage citizens who have lost their voters’ card to take advantage of the window that has been opened by the EC from October 3, 2023,” he added.

At the end of the limited voter registration exercise, provisional statistics revealed that the EC registered 2,965 persons comprising 1,345 males and 1,620 females in the Garu District.

Nine people’s registrations were, however, challenged.

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EC ends limited voter registration without extension https://www.adomonline.com/ec-ends-limited-voter-registration-without-extension/ Mon, 02 Oct 2023 20:31:50 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2301279 The Electoral Commission (EC) on Monday ended the limited voter registration exercise across its 268 district offices.

However, the EC has assured eligible applicants who were in the queue before 5:00 p.m. on Monday will be registered on Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

This was in a statement issued by the Acting Head of Public Affairs, Michael Boadi.

The EC expressed appreciation to the public for “the cooperation and support during the 21-day voter registration exercise,” which commenced on September 12, 2023.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) had appealed to the electoral body to extend the exercise.

The Deputy General Secretary, Mustapha Gbande, had said this will help the EC register all eligible applicants.

But the Commission maintains there will be no extension.

The EC had set its target of registering 700,000 new voters by the end of the exercise.

As of Thursday, September 28, the EC announced it had successfully registered some 673,276 new voters within 16 days.

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NDC urges EC to extend limited voter registration exercise https://www.adomonline.com/ndc-urges-ec-to-extend-limited-voter-registration-exercise/ Mon, 02 Oct 2023 08:20:18 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2300902 The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to extend the limited voter registration exercise.

Deputy General Secretary of the opposition party, Mustapha Gbande, said this will help the EC register all eligible applicants.

“If you go to some centers, there are people who have been there in the last four days trying to register, and they have taken care of their own feeding and accommodation and one would expect that the EC would have a space for these people to be registered at least before the exercise comes to an end. So we expect that there should be places where they bring in more machines and workforce to ensure that they finish the people in the queue without having to send them back home,” he told CitiNews.

“If you go to a place like Asuogyaman, people have been in queues in the last four days, and the arrangements they have there is that, you come and write your name and when it is time, then you come and register and so all these people assume that they are in a queue” the NDC deputy scribe stated.

In other to ensure everyone gets a voter ID card ahead of the 2024 general elections, Mr. Gbande appealed to the EC for an extension.

The EC commenced the exercise in all district offices in September and the exercise is expected to end today, October 2.

In a press briefing, the EC disclosed that it has registered over 600,000 eligible voters.

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EC can extend voter registration in Bawku – CODEO https://www.adomonline.com/ec-can-extend-voter-registration-in-bawku-codeo/ Sat, 30 Sep 2023 12:44:11 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2299995 The National Coordinator of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), has appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to extend the limited voter registration exercise in the Bawku Municipality of the Upper East Region.

Albert Arhin says such a decision will help stabilise the volatile situation in Bawku.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Top Story on Friday, he noted that during the extension, the Commission can have enough machines to open additional centers for registration to enable eligible voters to exercise their rights.

“I will advise that since the registration ends on October 2, the EC can extend it for peace to prevail,” he suggested.

His comments come in the wake of the EC suspending the limited voter registration exercise due to tensions in the area.

Reports indicate that, the suspension is due to disagreements between the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Upper East Regional Director of the Commission, Williams Obeng Darkwa, confirmed the incident to JoyNews.

However, he cited security concerns as the reason but would not comment on what went wrong.

“On point of service, we had little misunderstanding among active political players and therefore in the name of peace, we thought it was unsafe for our personnel and equipment to be exposed. Therefore, we had to put it on hold,” he told JoyNews.

According to him, despite the fact that the area is now calm, he is still waiting for approval from their superiors in Accra to carry on with the voter registration process.

However, the EC has refused to continue with the process since the two parties could not agree to a roadmap that would allow it to continue the registration of new voters.

The NDC failed to append their signature to the agreement document.

According to Mr Arhin, since the Bawku constituents are aggrieved about the halting of the exercise, the EC after an extension, should try to appease the people by registering them in more centers.

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Limited voter registration: Prof Alabi tours centres in Accra https://www.adomonline.com/limited-voter-registration-prof-alabi-tours-centres-in-accra/ Fri, 29 Sep 2023 20:25:01 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2299874 The 2020 campaign manager of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Professor Joshua Alabi, has visited some centres in the Greater Accra Region as part of the ongoing limited registration exercise.

The visit started at 11:00 a.m. on Friday.

Prof Alabi visited various constituencies, including Okaikoi North, Okaikoi Central, Ayawaso East, Ayawaso North, Ayawaso Central, Ayawaso West Wuogon, and Klottey Koley.

The purpose of the tour was to monitor the exercise, which commenced on September 12 and ends on Monday, October 2, 2023.

Prof Alabi was accompanied by the Greater Accra Regional NDC Vice Chairman, William Vinyo. 

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Limited voter registration: Bawumia storms Awutu Senya East EC office [Photos] https://www.adomonline.com/limited-voter-registration-bawumia-storms-awutu-senya-east-ec-office-photos/ Tue, 26 Sep 2023 20:27:50 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2298578 Vice President, Dr. Alhaji Mahamadu Bawumia visited the Awutu Senya East office of the Electoral Commission (EC) to observe the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential aspirant charged Ghanaians to be focused and exercise patience in the ongoing limited registration exercise.

Speaking in an interview with Adom News, Dr. Bawumia commended Ghanaians for going through the registration process devoid of any violence.

The Municipal Electoral Commission (EC) Director, Dominic Agbano, says 3,522 new voters have been registered within 15 days.

The Director admitted that initially they were faced with some network challenges which have now been resolved.

According to him, about 400 people are registered daily.

The limited registration exercise is expected to end on October 9, 2023. 

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Limited voter registration: 2 arrested over double registration at Nsawam-Adoagyiri https://www.adomonline.com/limited-voter-registration-2-arrested-over-double-registration-at-nsawam-adoagyiri/ Mon, 25 Sep 2023 08:54:21 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2297788 The Nsawam Police District Command in the Eastern Region is currently holding two sympathisers of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for allegedly engaging in double voter registration.

The suspects, Hodanou Kwesi and Gideon Odoi, were arrested by the Nsawam-Adoagyiri police when they visited the Electoral Commission (EC) District Office and attempted to register, despite having already done so.

The two suspects, as gathered, had already registered in the Volta region, with their bio-data already captured in the EC system, and were brought to the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Constituency by an individual to register again.

However, the officials of the Electoral Commission at the Nsawam District office, when entering their information when registering them, noticed the irregularity during the biometric/biodata collection stage of the registration process that both individuals had already registered.

The EC didn’t hesitate and, on their blindside, called the police to arrest them for this criminal offence.

The suspects were whisked to the Nsawam Police Station to assist in further investigation, where they later confessed that they had been registered in the Volta Region and were brought by someone to Nsawam to get registered again.

The Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipal Director of Elections in charge of the registration, King George when contacted, confirmed the arrest and stated that the individuals would be prosecuted accordingly.

Meanwhile, the police are making efforts to grab the person who recruited them to Nsawam to get them registered again.

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Any political party that claims EC wants to rig elections is weak – Allotey Jacobs https://www.adomonline.com/any-political-party-that-claims-ec-wants-to-rig-elections-is-weak-allotey-jacobs/ Fri, 22 Sep 2023 09:50:26 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2296896 Former Central Regional Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Bernard Allotey Jacobs has criticised the opposition party for alleging that there is a scheme by the Electoral Commission (EC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the 2024 elections.

The NDC has called out the Commission for deploying faulty and dysfunctional machines at its strongholds for the limited voter registration exercise.

To the opposition party, these actions are a deliberate attempt by the electoral body to disenfranchise new registrants – an allegation the Commission has vehemently denied.

Reacting to the allegation, Mr. Allotey urged the NDC to find better strategies to secure victory in the 2024 polls rather than play the blame game.

“Any political party that says such a thing shows its weakness. That party is not on the grounds and it also does not have people who relate with the Electoral Commission,” he said on Accra-based Peace FM.

The limited registration exercise began on Tuesday, September 12, despite an injunction filed by the NDC and four other parties.

The 21-day exercise is expected to end on October 09, 2023

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NDC will win 2024 election even if you don’t expand registration – Kojo Bonsu to EC https://www.adomonline.com/ndc-will-win-2024-election-even-if-you-dont-expand-registration-kojo-bonsu-to-ec/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:35:06 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2296319 Former Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive, Kojo Bonsu says the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will win the 2024 election irrespective of the Electoral Commission’s refusal to heed to calls to expand the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

During his tour of various EC registration centers in the Ashanti region, Mr Bonsu observed a number of potential voters are challenged in participating in the registration.

NDC will win 2024 election even if you don't expand registration – Kojo Bonsu to EC

“I have traveled across the country. Situations have been calm but the distance has been a problem. The EC should see to the plight of the people of the country as they continue to plead for an expansion. A lot of people would have come if it was expanded,” he said.

While admonishing the Electoral Commission to expand coverage for the registration, he stated that, the NDC is focused on winning the 2024 election by its own effort.

NDC will win 2024 election even if you don't expand registration – Kojo Bonsu to EC

“We should be able to expand it so that people can have access. We are winning 2024 anyway; we are wining positively,” he boasted.

NDC will win 2024 election even if you don't expand registration – Kojo Bonsu to EC

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Tamale: EC accuses political parties of registering minors https://www.adomonline.com/tamale-ec-accuses-political-parties-of-registering-minors/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 11:47:42 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2295778 The office of the Electoral Commission (EC) in the Tamale Metropolis is expressing grave concern over what it says are attempts by political parties to include unqualified voters in the register.

The Tamale Metro Director of the Commission, Bismark Nteh, bemoaned that despite multiple discussions with political parties to discourage this illegal activity, it has proven to be unsuccessful.

Mr. Nteh is worried that this practice may have consequences for the applicants in the future when their falsified ages work against them. He, therefore, advised parents to prevent their children from such acts.

“I will plead with parents that they shouldn’t allow political parties to deceive them because they want a number of people to register.Indeed they will have the numbers but these children are going to suffer in future. One day they will need their actual ages for something and it will affect them,” the Tamale Metro Director of the Electoral Commission in the Northern Region said.

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Limited registration: EC reacts to claims of disenfranchising eligible voters https://www.adomonline.com/limited-registration-ec-reacts-to-claims-of-disenfranchising-eligible-voters/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 08:50:36 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2295618 The Electoral Commission (EC) has dismissed claims of disenfranchising eligible voters in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

Addressing a press conference, EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa said such claims are false.

“We have heard of allegations from the various quarters that the Commission is disenfranchising eligible voters. This is false,” she refuted.

The EC boss insisted it is not in the interest of the Commission to disenfranchise any eligible voter.

She noted that the Commission is working around the clock to ensure that every eligible voter registers with ease.

“In fact, we take pride in the fact that we have the second-highest number of registered voters in the whole of Africa, with the exception of Cape Verde, which has a national population of just about 600,000 and a voting population of 55.33 per cent,” she added.

She further stated that “Per the 2021 census figures, Ghana boasts of a register that captures 55 per cent of the national population, that is 17, 27,000 persons out of a national population of 31 million.

“As a Commission, we pride ourselves on the fact that our voter registration population meets international best practices for the registration of voters,” she said.

Jean Mensa’s comments come in the wake of concerns by some members of the public regarding the decision by the EC to conduct registration at its 268 district offices instead of electoral areas.

However, the EC boss says the ongoing registration is not a full-blown exercise, adding that another registration will be done before the 2024 election.

“In line with our plans to promote an inclusive participatory registration process, we plan to institute continuous registration in all our district offices nationwide in 2024 for a considerable length of time,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Jean Mensa has assured the Commission will identify difficult-to-access areas and undertake a mop-up exercise in those areas.

She explained that although it is not in the Commission’s interest for eligible voters to be disenfranchised, the present circumstances make it impossible to conduct the registration on an electoral basis.

Madam Mensa stated that if the C. I before Parliament is passed, “We would have had some six months this year to register voters at any time of their choice in our district offices throughout the country.”

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Limited voter registration: Jean Mensa only listens to Akufo-Addo – Edudzi Tamakloe https://www.adomonline.com/limited-voter-registration-jean-mensa-only-listens-to-akufo-addo-edudzi-tamakloe/ Mon, 18 Sep 2023 13:16:23 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2295311 Director of Legal Affairs for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Edudzi Tamakloe has expressed his sentiments about the ongoing limited voters’ registration exercise.

According to him, the stress and inconvenience that come with the exercise will force some new registrants not to partake.

To him, the Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson, Jean Mensa has turned a deaf ear to the concerns raised by some opposition parties because she only listens to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.

He accused the EC of conspiring with government to disenfranchise voters.

“The only person that Madam Jean Mensa listens to is Mr. Akufo-Addo. If you’re a person who has turned 18 years and above know that Akufo-Addo and Madam Jean Mensa have conspired to deny you the opportunity to participate and have a say in their misgovernance. There is an orchestration deliberately by Akufo-Addo and Jean Mensa,” he said on Accra-based TV3.

The Electoral Commission has faced serious backlash from political parties, civil society organisations and the general public for its insistence on carrying out the limited voters’ registration in its district offices.

According to those opposing the EC’s actions, the inaccessibility of the district offices, deployment of faulty and dysfunctional machines to some offices, and the cost of transportation among others are some reasons why the exercise must be decentralized to the electoral areas.

However, Director of Elections at the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr. Serebuor Quaicoe has clarified that the ongoing district registrations are geared toward the upcoming district-level elections.

He explained that, next year, the Commission will roll out another registration exercise that will be held in the electoral areas.

The limited registration exercise began on Tuesday, September 12 and end on October 09, 2023. 

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Limited registration: 15 injured, 5 hospitalised in attack at Okaikoi North centre https://www.adomonline.com/limited-registration-15-injured-5-hospitalised-in-attack-at-okaikoi-north-centre/ Mon, 18 Sep 2023 12:59:22 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2295349 About 15 people have been injured, with five hospitalized, after masked men attacked some residents in Okaikoi North in the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

The unknown gunmen reportedly bolted away with GH₵11,000 in the incident, which occurred on Sunday dawn.

The victims were applicants who stayed overnight at the centre to avoid long queues in the morning.

Speaking to Joy News, a victim, Gifty Dogbe said she managed to run for her life despite being hit in the leg with a stick.

Another victim disclosed that the robbers made away with her iPhone and US$150, which was in the phone case.

Reports indicate there were no security personnel at the time of the incident.

However, the Okaikoi North National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chairman, Gregory Quarshie, who was present, said the incident has been reported to the police.

He said he drove some of the victims to the Achimota Police Station, where they were interrogated and medical forms issued for treatment.

Mr Quarshie disclosed that the injured persons were undergoing treatment at the 37 Military Hospital and Achimota Hospital.

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Limited voter registration: Nana B praises EC https://www.adomonline.com/limited-voter-registration-nana-b-praises-ec/ Mon, 18 Sep 2023 10:06:01 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2295242 National Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Henry Nana Boakye says he is impressed with the ongoing limited voter registration exercise conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC).

Per his assessment, the process has been going smoothly although there are slight technical challenges.

“Yesterday I visited some district offices to assess the registration exercise. The officers were working tirelessly and I think it’s commendable” the NPP Youth leader said.

He urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to keep calm as their concerns over the exercise will be addressed.

Nana B held the view that, even with the right machines, not all persons who have turned 18 years and above can get registered in this limited exercise.

Meanwhile, the NDC has accused the EC of deploying faulty and dysfunctional machines to its strongholds, in an attempt to disenfranchise some voters.

The limited registration exercise began on Tuesday, September 12, despite an injunction filed by the NDC and four other parties.

The 21-day exercise is expected to end on October 09, 2023. 

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Egyapa Mercer drags EC over limited voter registration https://www.adomonline.com/egyapa-mercer-drags-ec-over-limited-voter-registration/ Thu, 14 Sep 2023 12:36:44 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2294058 Member of Parliament (MP) for the Sekondi Constituency, Andrew Egyapa Mercer, has joined some colleagues who have bitterly complained about the ongoing limited voter registration by the Electoral Commission (EC).

The Deputy Energy Minister said the EC should have expanded the scope to capture new voters in rural areas.

“I have my own issues with the Electoral Commission and the way they are going about this entire exercise. I would have thought that just like they did in 2019, they would do the registration in their district offices and also provide an avenue for hard-to-reach communities with some facilities to enable them to register. That should have been what they should have done,” he said on Accra-based Metro TV.

The limited voters’ registration exercise started on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

The 21-day exercise conducted at all 268 EC district offices is expected to end on Monday, October 2, 2023.

The EC has directed those eligible to visit the District Office in their areas with either their Ghana Card or passport.

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Limited voter registration: Okudzeto Ablakwa chides EC https://www.adomonline.com/limited-voter-registration-okudzeto-ablakwas-chides-ec/ Thu, 14 Sep 2023 11:42:23 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2294054 North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has set up a team to monitor the ongoing limited voter registration exercise by the Electoral Commission (EC).

In a tweet, he stressed that the team will ensure every newly turned 18-year-old in the constituency partakes in the process.

“Despite the despicable machinations of the Jean Mensah-led Electoral Commission to suppress votes by restricting registration to single EC Offices, we in North Tongu are determined not to leave any 18-year-old behind. Kindly take note of this plan for successful facilitation,” he tweeted.

On Monday, the EC commenced the exercise at its 268 district offices nationwide, despite an injunction by five political parties.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and four other opposition parties have expressed their dissatisfaction with the manner in which the EC is carrying out the registration process.

According to the NDC, the electoral body has deployed faulty and dysfunctional registration machines to its strongholds in order to disenfranchise eligible voters ahead of the 2024 general elections.

Below is the tweet:

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Two arrested for attempting double voter registration in Wa https://www.adomonline.com/two-arrested-for-attempting-double-voter-registration-in-wa/ Wed, 13 Sep 2023 21:07:20 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2293941 Two people have been caught for attempted double registration at the ongoing limited voter registration exercise by the Electoral Commission (EC) in Wa.

Ben Alaglo, the Wa Municipal Electoral Officer, revealed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Wa on Tuesday when the GNA visited the registration centre.

“Initially, we wanted to hand them over to the police, but we warned them and allowed them to go. When we asked them, they said they thought they did not registered in 2016 that is why they came to register again.”

“I asked my officers to tell those who are here to register that if anyone has already registered, he or she should not attempt registering again because the machines will detect them and they will be made to face the law”, he explained.

At about 1340 HRS when the GNA visited the registration centre in Wa, over 40 people had registered and been issued ID cards.

The GNA also observed that, not many people turned up to register; hence, there was no long queue.

The Municipal EC Director explained that, at about 0630 HRS, when he arrived at the office, there were only twelve people waiting to be registered, adding that, “I thought by the time I get here, the yard will be full.”

Alaglo said the exercise started at about 0800 HRS and “We were the first to hit the database in the region”, to be the first centre to commence registration in the region.

Louis Arthur, the EC technician at the registration centre, told the GNA that the exercise was going smoothly and that they had no challenges with the registration machines.

The EC is organising the limited voter registration exercise to enable all eligible voters in the country who have not yet obtained their voter’s ID card to do so ahead of the District Level Election (DLE) later this year.

The 21-day exercise is scheduled to end on October 2 and will be conducted from Monday to Sunday from 0800 HRS to 1700 HRS each day.

The EC had targeted to register at least 1,350,000 persons in the 2023 voter Registration exercise based on its projection that such many people might have attained 18 years since the last registration exercise in 2020.

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Limited voter registration: EC, NPP seeking to disenfranchise Ghanaians – Afaglo https://www.adomonline.com/limited-voter-registration-ec-npp-seeking-to-disenfranchise-ghanaians-afaglo/ Tue, 12 Sep 2023 08:21:12 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2293093 The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Marrer Ghana Limited, Susatgad Boat Building and Fishing Industry, Novihoho Afaglo, has passionately appealed to Ghanaians to participate in the Electoral Commission’s (EC) limited voter registration exercise.

According to him, the ongoing exercise is the only eligible means by which Ghanaians who have attained the age of 18 and those without voter identification cards can exercise their franchise in the 2024 general elections.

Mr Afaglo has charged Ghanaians to take the exercise seriously because that is the only way they can vote out the corrupt New Patriotic Party (NPP) government from power come 2024.

He accused the EC of using its decision to restrict voter registration centres to district offices as a grand scheme to disenfranchise many Ghanaians who, by the constitution, qualify to exercise their voting rights.

“The EC’s led by Mrs. Jean Mensah and the Nana Akufo-Addo government partnership to do the limited voter registration exercise in only district offices are all ways and means to deprive and discourage angry Ghanaians who have vowed to boot out the incompetent government,” he stated.

He bemoaned that in some parts of the country, accessing the district capital would cost close to GH¢100.00 or more, so lots of people would feel reluctant to register to vote.

“If it is not a grand scheme to rig the election for the NPP, why would they restrict it to the district offices, knowing well that it has the potential to deprive many eligible voters of their right to register to vote in public elections” he added.

Mr Afaglo has therefore called on party faithful, parents, philanthropists and any individual who is tired of the ‘wicked’ NPP government rule to support those in their area who are eligible to go register in the ongoing exercise to vote out the NPP government.

The limited voter registration will be conducted from September 12 to October 2, 2023. The exercise will be held at all 268 district offices of the EC across the country.

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NDC threatens to sue EC over limited voter registration https://www.adomonline.com/ndc-threatens-to-sue-ec-over-limited-voter-registration/ Tue, 29 Aug 2023 17:13:30 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2288436 Director of Legal Affairs for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Godwin Edudzi Tamakloe, says the party’s Legal Directorate will consider exploring legal means to challenge the legality of the Electoral Commission’s decision to hold the upcoming limited voter registration at its district offices.

The Commission last week announced the commencement of limited voter registration for eligible Ghanaians who turned 18 years after the 2020 registration exercise and other eligible voters from September 12, 2023, to October 2, 2023.

The NDC argues that if the EC is allowed to go by its plans, most of the new voters will be disenfranchised.

Mr. Tamakloe says his team will challenge the legality of the exercise.

“The EC is applying the same law to only limit the registration to the district offices. We will explore all the available legal channels to ensure that we will get an outcome that will allow the elections to be more decentralized. We want to ensure that all our MPs are duly protected within the confines of our law, and we will definitely do that,” the Director of Legal Affairs for the NDC said.

Seven political parties in the country on August 21 were unhappy with the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to restrict the upcoming voter registration exercise to its district offices.

According to the political parties, such a move would disenfranchise a number of Ghanaians who have attained the voting age.

They want the commission to instead open up the process for the exercise to be conducted at the electoral areas.

The seven political parties have thus promised not to rest until the EC registers every eligible Ghanaian who has attained the voting age.

According to the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, the exercise would be held at all the 268 district offices of the EC across the country.

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