Audio By Carbonatix
In the face of advancing technologies and emerging challenges in voter registration, Ghana will replace the current voters register with a biometric register for subsequent elections.
Eligible Ghanaian voters outside the country are likely to be disenfranchised due to the use of the biometric verification process on election day.
Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Dr. Afari-Gyan disclosed this during a dialogue between the EC and faith-based groups in Accra.
He explained that since the finger prints and picture of the voter will be taken during the registration process, biometric verification demands the same human features and a proxy cannot have that. He was however quick to add, investigations were ongoing to find a solution to that development.
Dr. Afari Gyan lamented over the 30 million dollars the commission needs to purchase 30,000 verification equipment for the 23,000 polling stations across the country.
To register, eligible voters will have to prove by document, that they are Ghanaian. Among the documents required is a passport, old voter ID or driver’s license. In the absence of any document 2 approved voters will have to swear an oath on the person’s behalf.
Touching on the Supreme Court’s ruling allowing Prisoners to vote, the EC chairman said “I wish we will all agree they should vote in the Presidential election only. Since with that the whole country is one constituency”.
He explained his discomfort with allowing prisoners to take part in the parliamentary vote that the votes of prisoners who do not permanently reside in the constituency where they are held could affect seating MPs negatively.
The nationwide biometric voter registration process will start on 24th March – 5 May 2012.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana finalizes strategic roadmap for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics
2 seconds -
AltAir Logistics unveils most affordable and value-packed packages for World Cup 2026Â
7 minutes -
Ahmed Ibrahim warns contractors against shoddy work on 24-Hour Economy market projects
12 minutes -
Construction of 20-kilometre Adankwame-Ntensere road to be completed soon – Atwima Nwabiagya North MP
17 minutes -
24-hour markets to transform Ghana’s economy, set for completion within two years – Ahmed Ibrahim
19 minutes -
NDC inherited a dysfunctional local government sector – Ahmed Ibrahim
22 minutes -
Some vendors in Ellembelle reject ¢0.20 coins for business transactions
24 minutes -
Release of GH¢5m to MMDAs in 2025 is unprecedented – Local Gov’t Minister
27 minutes -
Chiefs deserve better compensation for their role in development – Local Gov’t Minister
30 minutes -
Rebel Wilson’s claims against actress are ‘malicious concoctions’, Australian court hears
30 minutes -
Mahama warns against interference in public sector discipline
31 minutes -
OSP lacks independent prosecutorial power – Deputy Attorney-General insists
35 minutes -
Parliament Accounts Officer linked to over GH¢139k payroll irregularity
39 minutes -
Ghana’s democracy under attack; free speech sacrificed under Mahama gov’t – Bawumia
39 minutes -
‘Power is transient’ – Otumfuo warns against political interference in chieftaincy
42 minutes