A devout Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA), James Kwabena Bomfeh, says voting on the Sabbath Day is not a sin for members of the church.

According to him, casting a vote on the Sabbath does not violate God’s law if done with a clear conscience.

Speaking on JoyFM’s Newsnight on Wednesday, November 27, Mr Bomfeh explained that voting on December 7 is a matter that is left for the individual members to decide whether to vote or not.

“It is no sin to vote on Sabbath Day. It does not violate the law of God to vote on Sabbath Day if your conscious is right.

"But I have explained that there are incidents and situations on the voting process in our country that may create situations which may make it difficult for us,” he said.

He added that it was due to the challenges that got the SDA Church to change the voting day, however, they did not succeed.

Mr Bonfeh noted that he will be casting his vote in the upcoming December 7 general elections, explaining that it is a solemn exercise.

“I see voting not only in this election but all other national elections as both a secular and a centric duty that imposes responsibility on us, our conscious and between us and our God and our society,” he added.

The SDA Church in Ghana has a longstanding stance on the timing of elections, consistently requesting a date change for voting during elections which is scheduled on Saturdays, their day of worship.

The Electoral Commission (EC) has, however, maintained December 7 as the fixed date for national elections since 1992, citing constitutional provisions and practical challenges in altering it.

Ahead of this year’s election, the SDA Church renewed its call to the EC, emphasising that holding elections on a Saturday disenfranchises members who prioritise worship.

Despite this appeal, the EC reaffirmed the traditional voting date, stating that changing it would disrupt electoral processes.

In their latest statement, the SDA Church urged members to individually assess their situation and choose whether to vote on the Sabbath or abstain, leaving the decision to personal conviction.