EC: Registration Extension Possible if Needed

The Electoral Commission (EC) has raised the possibility of extending the limited voters’ registration period to accommodate all eligible citizens, depending on the turnout and circumstances.

Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the EC’s Director of Electoral Services, highlighted that the decision to extend the registration period would hinge on factors such as the number of people still in queues at the end of the scheduled registration period.

This discussion arose after the Commission encountered challenges, including internet connectivity issues, on the first day of the exercise, leading to delays in various parts of the country.

“If at the end of the registration period, there are a lot of people in the queue, we will get to know them and address them,” Dr. Quaicoe stated on Tuesday, May 7 2024.

While the option of extending the registration period is being considered, Dr. Quaicoe emphasized that the decision would be based on the situation at the close of the registration exercise.

He assured the public that the EC is committed to ensuring that all eligible voters have the opportunity to register and participate in the electoral process.

In response to the EC’s statement, Gildfred Asiamah, the Team Lead for Election Anti-Corruption and Rule of Law at CDD-Ghana, urged the Commission to make timely decisions regarding a potential extension.

Mr. Asiamah stressed the importance of prompt communication to the public, emphasizing that delaying the decision until the second day of the registration exercise may discourage participation.