Dr. John Osae-Kwapong, a Political Analyst and a Fellow at the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), is optimistic about the ability of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) to conduct the upcoming elections effectively.
During an interview on TV3’s News Central, Dr. Osae-Kwapong acknowledged that the Commission is currently facing a challenge in gaining the trust of the citizens, which is a common issue among state institutions in the country. He emphasized that the EC must work hard to earn the confidence of the people before the December 7, 2024 elections.
Despite the existing trust issues, Dr. Osae-Kwapong believes that the Commission is well-equipped to handle the election. He praised the EC for its prompt response to the technical difficulties encountered during the limited voter registration exercise earlier this year.
The Commission faced technical challenges at the start of the registration process, prompting them to switch to offline mode to ensure more applicants were captured. Dr. Osae-Kwapong commended the EC for swiftly addressing the issues and implementing measures to ensure a smooth registration process.
Looking ahead, Dr. Osae-Kwapong stressed the importance of the EC being proactive and responsive to any challenges that may arise before the elections. He highlighted the need for the Commission to assure citizens of their commitment to delivering a free and fair election.
Currently, the EC is conducting a limited voter registration exercise to register approximately 623,000 first-time voters for the upcoming elections. The exercise, which began on May 7, is expected to end on May 27, 2024. Additionally, the Commission has set up additional registration centers, including 25 public universities, to facilitate the registration process.
EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, has reaffirmed the Commission’s dedication to compiling a credible voter register for the 2024 elections. She emphasized the importance of a transparent electoral process, stating that a credible voter register is essential for achieving fair and transparent elections.
With the ongoing voter registration exercise and the commitment of the EC to address challenges and ensure transparency, Ghana is gearing up for an important electoral process in December 2024.
