On Wednesday, November 8, 2023, the Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson, Jean Mensa, is scheduled to appear before Parliament.
The recent limited voter registration exercise, which resulted in the registration of over 600,000 new voters, will be briefed to the House by the EC Chair.
The Minority in Parliament has criticized the EC’s decision to limit the registration process to its district offices, claiming that MPs are now facing an additional financial burden as a result of this limitation.
The business statement was delivered to Parliament by Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the Majority Leader, who also announced the arrival of the EC Chairperson.
He emphasized that before passing judgment on the EC’s conduct, it is crucial to get information directly from them.
“Mr Speaker, pursuant to order 44, the leadership of the business committee proposed that the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, be invited to attend upon the house on November 8, 2023, at a close sitting to brief members of the house on matters arising from the recently held limited voter registration exercise undertaken by the commission and other related matters.
“Of course, it wasn’t necessary to castigate the EC when you have not heard from them, it was unnecessary,” Kyei Mensah Bonsu stated.
The EC’s decision to limit registration centers to its district offices, which are frequently inconvenient for a large number of eligible voters, has drawn criticism from the public.
Several civil society organizations and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) urged the EC to move the registration exercise to more easily accessible areas.
On October 2, 2023, the EC ended the limited voter registration exercise across its district offices, adhering to its position and not extending the registration time.
The Ashanti Region had the highest figure of 111,593, representing 16.6 percent, while the Savannah Region had the lowest count of 16, 045, representing 2.4 percent.
Other regional figures are; Western– 42,269 (6.3 per cent); Western North – 22,386 (3.3 per cent); Central 63,228 (9.4 per cent); Greater Accra – 90,099 (13.4 per cent); Volta 43,099 (6.4 percent and Oti – 18,468 (2.7 per cent); Eastern – 69,597 (10.3 per cent) and Bono – 23,365 (3.5 per cent).
The rest are; Ahafo 17,210 (2.6 per cent); Bono East – 28, 687 (4.3 per cent); Northern – 52,410 (7.8 per cent); North – East 17,692 (2.6 per cent); Upper East – 33,778 (5 percent and Upper West – 23,350 (3.5 per cent).
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com