The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is undertaking a special voting initiative today, Thursday, December 5, 2024, in the Eastern and Western regions, in preparation for the general elections scheduled for December 7.
This initiative comes after the original voting exercise for these regions was postponed from Monday, December 2, 2024.
The decision to delay the exercise was made during an emergency meeting of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) on Sunday, December 1, following the discovery of a defaced ballot paper intended for destruction outside the Checkpoint Printing House, which raised concerns regarding the integrity of the ballots.
While no problems were reported with the materials for the Western Region, the printing facility that produced the ballots for the Eastern Region also printed those for the Western Region. As a precautionary measure, the EC decided to recall and reprint the ballots for both regions.
The newly printed materials were delivered to the respective regions on Wednesday, December 4, ensuring that everything was in place for today’s voting. EC Chairperson Jean Mensa has assured all stakeholders that comprehensive measures have been implemented to maintain the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
The special voting exercise, which took place in 14 other regions on December 2, is designed for specific groups, including election officials, security personnel, and media representatives who will be on duty on election day, allowing them to vote in advance.
Polling in the Eastern and Western regions will commence at 7:00 AM and conclude at 5:00 PM. Only those voters listed in the Special Voters Register are permitted to participate. Biometric verification systems will be employed to ensure both accuracy and transparency.
The Electoral Commission has reaffirmed its dedication to facilitating a free, fair, and credible electoral process.
Votes cast during this special voting exercise will be securely sealed and transported to the EC’s offices in their respective regions, where they will be kept under stringent security until the general counting on December 7.
The Electoral Commission has called upon all participants to comply with the voting regulations and to ensure a peaceful atmosphere during the process. It is anticipated that the effective execution of today’s rescheduled special voting will enhance confidence in the forthcoming elections.
