The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is backing calls for the Electoral Commission (EC) to reconsider its decision to restrict its upcoming limited registration exercise to only district offices.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Newsnight on Wednesday, September 6, the National Coordinator, Albert Arhin requested that the Commission establishes some centres outside of the big cities with sizable electoral areas and far from the district offices so that people would have easy access to the registration centres as was done in the past.

He asserts that if more centres are not created, things could become 'chaotic' and people might not show up at all to register.

This, he said, will result in citizens losing their right to vote.

“When it comes to the riverine areas and areas difficult to reach like the Dwarf Island in Afram Plains, I don’t think the EC expects voters to take a boat and come to Donkorkrom to do the registration. The tradition has always been that the EC will make sure people who are to do the registration stay there for a week or so to do the registration and return,” he suggested.

“So I am siding with the people who are saying that the EC should make it easy for everybody to be captured,” he told Emefa Apawu.

The Electoral Commission earlier announced that it will commence the 2023 voters’ registration exercise on Tuesday, September 12, and end on Monday, October 2. 

In the said announcement, the Commission added that the exercise will take place at its district offices across the country.

• Put aside everything and partake in 2023 limited voter registration exercise – Mahama to NDC members

The chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa made this known on Thursday, August 17, at a press briefing in Accra dubbed, ‘Let the Citizen Know.’

She also disclosed a GH¢10 charge for the replacement of a lost or misplaced voter’s ID card.

“The voter’s registration exercise will afford Ghanaians who have attained the age of 18 years, since the last registration of 2020 and others who are more than 18 years, but for various reasons couldn’t register during the 2020 registration exercise an opportunity to do so.”

“The EC will embark on voters’ registration in all 268 district offices of the Commission. The exercise will be held from September 12 to October 2,” she disclosed. 

Following this, some seven political parties in the country on Monday, August 21 raised strong objections to the EC’s decision to exclusively utilize its district offices for the upcoming exercise this month.

They insisted that any decision to restrict the upcoming voter registration exercise to its district offices would not achieve its intended purpose(s).

Also read: https://myjoyonline.com/be-transparent-in-limited-voter-registration-exercise-mahama-tells-ec/

Former President John Mahama also spoke on the matter demanding the Electoral Commission publishes names and pictures of persons recruited to undertake the upcoming exercise.

He asked for the EC to be fair in the upcoming 2023 voter registration exercise.

Mr Mahama says the Commission is required to be transparent about its responsibilities and not the other way round.

This according to him, will help the EC regain its lost confidence from the public.

The National Democratic Congress’ flagbearer for the 2024 elections in a Facebook live session on Wednesday, September 6, said the party will also police the processes leading to the registration and after.

“I strongly urge the Electoral Commission to facilitate the registration exercise in all electoral areas to allow for easy access and a reduced burden on the citizenry in their quest to register.”

“I challenge the Commission to be transparent with the processes preceding the start of the limited voter registration exercise, the replacement of voter ID cards, and the transfer of votes.”