The Electoral Commission (EC) has taken steps to resolve the challenges that affected the limited voter registration exercise on the first day, which began today, May 7.
Reports from various centres suggested a network breakdown, which prevented many from completing the registration process.
Areas such as Ayawaso West Wougon, Ayawaso Central, Korle Klotey, Ayawaso East, and Ayawaso North had difficulties, and so the eligible persons who thronged the centres were left disappointed from 7 a.m., when the process started.
However, the election management body says the issues have been addressed for a smooth process.
In a press statement copied to The Ghana Report, the EC said: “The Commission wishes to bring to the attention of the general public that, following our monitoring of the Voters Registration Exercise this morning, we observed some technical challenges with internet connectivity in a number of our centres. This delayed the start of the registration at a number of the registration centres”.
“We are happy to note that by 12 pm, the technical issues in most of the Registration Centres had been resolved. Consequently, the Registration Exercise is proceeding smoothly in almost all the registration centres nationwide.
“The Commission will continue to monitor the Registration Exercise and promptly address any issues that may arise.
We encourage all qualified applicants to avail themselves and register to vote in their respective districts,” the EC noted.
With the intervention, the process is expected to improve in subsequent days to help the EC meet its target of 623,000 first-time voters nationwide by the end of the 21-day exercise.
Ghanaians who have attained age 18 and other adult citizens who do not have voter identification cards can participate in the exercise to enable them to vote in the presidential and parliamentary elections later this year.
A total of 3,277 EC personnel have been engaged for the registration exercise, which will end on May 27, 2024.
Registration will take place in all 268 district offices of the commission and an additional 785 centres to accommodate those who may find it difficult to access the district offices. Additionally, 25 public universities have been included as registration venues.
The EC intends to submit the provisional voter register to the political parties between July 9 and 18, 2024, and mount an exhibition of the voter register between July 15 and 24, 2024.
The final voter register is expected to be submitted to the political parties between August 30 and September 5, 2024.
All logistics have been deployed to the centres, including arrangements for standby generators to curtail power challenges.