Network challenges stall limited voter registration exercise on day one

The much-anticipated limited voter registration exercise, slated to commence today, Tuesday, May 7, has hit a stumbling block in five key districts across the country.

Despite the nationwide rollout, not a single person has been successfully registered in the Ayawaso West Wougon, Ayawaso Central, Korle Klotey, Ayawaso East, and Ayawaso North districts.

Registration officials waiting for network to be restored before they proceed.
According to reports, the registration delays extend beyond these specific districts, indicating a national problem that threatens to impede the registration process.

The scene at another registration centre.

 

This setback comes as a blow to the Electoral Commission’s efforts to conduct a smooth and efficient registration exercise aimed at enrolling approximately 623,000 first-time voters nationwide.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, has emphasised the importance of compiling a credible voter register as election 2024 beckons.

She said that without a credible voter register, there can never be transparent elections.

Addressing a news conference in Accra on Monday, May 6—the eve of the 2024 limited registration exercise—Jean Mensah said the EC is poised to deliver a credible and transparent election.

Read also: Delays By The EC In Carrying Out Its Constitutional Mandate Cannot Be Accepted – Bono NDC 

“As a commission, we remain poised and ready to deliver credible, transparent and peaceful elections and electoral processes starting with the 2024 registration exercise.

 

“It is well known that the voters register is a bedrock of an election. Without a credible and accurate voter register, there can be no transparent and acceptable elections,” she stated.

The 21-day exercise will end on Monday, May 27, 2024. It aims at individuals who have turned 18 years old since the last registration to be enrolled in the national album.

Furthermore, the exercise will be conducted at the EC’s district offices and in difficult-to-access electoral areas.

Meanwhile, the management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has granted Senior High/Senior High Technical School students who have attained 18 years of age or older four days permission to go home and partake in the exercise.