The Electoral Commission (EC) has reiterated its call for the adoption of the Ghana Card as the primary identification document for future voter registrations. 

This push comes in response to the disturbances and violence witnessed at various registration centres during the ongoing limited voter registration exercise.

Dr Eric Bossman Asare, a Deputy Chair of the Electoral Commission, emphasised the need for a more efficient and peaceful registration process. 

He highlighted that many of the incidents of violence stemmed from challenges regarding the age and citizenship of applicants.

Speaking at the EC's headquarters in Accra on Monday, May 13, Dr Asare urged political party agents to utilize the challenge process to address any discrepancies or concerns with applicants' eligibility instead of resorting to physical confrontations.

The EC's advocacy for the Ghana Card as the sole identification document aims to streamline the registration process and minimize disputes. 

By relying on a standardised form of identification, the Commission hopes to mitigate the potential for conflicts and ensure the integrity of voter registration.

Moving forward, the Commission plans to engage stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organisations, to garner support for the adoption of the Ghana Card as the primary means of identification in future registration exercises.

“We have also noticed that some of the disturbances occurring at some of our registration centres are due to the fact that some people are doubting the ages of some of the applicants."

“This is the reason why the Commission has been advocating the usage of the Ghana Card, which has the date of birth and the nationality of the bearers of the card and the abolishment of the guarantor system.”

“We are hopeful that in the next registration exercise, applicants will use the Ghana card as the means of identification,” he said.