The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has announced that extending the deadline for the ongoing limited voters’ registration exercise is not feasible. Despite initial technical challenges during the first two days, the EC reported that the process has since proceeded smoothly across the country.
At a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy EC Chair in Charge of Operations, emphasized that the 21-day period allocated for the exercise is adequate. “This is good enough to cover all difficult areas that the Commission earmarked,” he stated. “We don’t actually think that at this time it is even feasible for anyone to call for an extension.”
Mr. Tettey acknowledged that the first week of registration saw large queues at some centers, but noted that the numbers had decreased with one week remaining before the scheduled closure date. To ensure accessibility, the Commission’s mobile teams have been deployed to hard-to-reach areas, assisting applicants who might not be able to visit the district registration centers.
The registration of new voters began on May 7, 2024, and is set to conclude on May 27, 2024. According to data released by the EC, a total of 522,025 new voters had been registered by the end of the 13th day, Sunday, May 19, 2024. Of these, 446,416 (85.52%) are first-time voters aged between 18 and 21.
The statistics also reveal a gender distribution among the new registrants, with 246,455 (47.21%) males and 275,570 (52.79%) females. The EC aims to register a total of 623,000 voters by the end of the exercise.
As the registration period nears its end, the EC continues to encourage eligible citizens to participate, ensuring their right to vote in future elections.