Hon. James Gunu, the Volta Regional Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has expressed significant concerns over the Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to conduct a mop-up voter registration exercise from August 1 to August 3, 2024.
In a Facebook post made on Saturday, June 8, Mr. Gunu acknowledged the commendable aim of the initiative, which is to ensure that no eligible voter is disenfranchised.
However, he argued that the timing of this exercise disrupts the Electoral Commission’s own planned electoral calendar.
Mr. Gunu highlighted that the mop-up voter registration is intended to capture those who, for various reasons, missed the main registration period.
He noted that the current scheduling of the mop-up exercise, set to take place after the exhibition of the provisional voters’ register, defies logical electoral process flow.
According to the EC’s 2024 electoral calendar, the submission of the provisional voters register to political parties is slated for July 9 to July 18, followed by the exhibition of the voters register from July 15 to July 24, and the final submission of the voters register from August 30 to September 5.
According to him, typically, a mop-up exercise should occur immediately after the limited voter registration and before the voter transfer exercise.
He further stated that this sequence ensures that all newly registered voters are included in the provisional register and its subsequent exhibition.
Mr. Gunu argued that conducting the mop-up registration after the exhibition phase could lead to several issues.
Below is his full post:
James Gunu writes…..
“The EC’s Decision to Conduct Mop-Up Voter Registration from August 1 to August 3, 2024: A Good Idea but Poorly Timed’
The Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to conduct a mop-up voter registration from Thursday, August 1, to Saturday, August 3, 2024, is a commendable initiative aimed at ensuring that no eligible voter is disenfranchised. However, the timing of this exercise raises significant concerns and risks disrupting the EC’s own meticulously planned electoral calendar.
The purpose of a mop-up voter registration exercise is to capture those who, for various reasons, were unable to register during the main registration period. This ensures inclusivity and fairness in the electoral process. Nevertheless, the timing of the current mop-up exercise appears to be ill-conceived, as it is set to occur after the exhibition of the provisional voters’ register. This sequencing is problematic for several reasons.
Misalignment with the Electoral Calendar
According to the EC’s own electoral calendar for 2024:
- Tuesday, July 9 to Thursday, July 18, 2024: Submission of provisional voters register to political parties.
- Monday, July 15 to Wednesday, July 24, 2024: Exhibition of the voters register.
- Friday, August 30 to Thursday, September 5, 2024: Submission of the final voters register amongst other major activities.
The current plan to conduct a mop-up registration after the exhibition period defies logical electoral process flow. Typically, a mop-up exercise should be conducted immediately after the limited voter registration and before the voter transfer exercise.
This sequence allows for the inclusion of all newly registered voters in the provisional voters’ register and its subsequent exhibition.
Potential Consequences
- Inaccurate Voter Register: Conducting the mop-up registration after the exhibition phase can lead to discrepancies and inaccuracies in the voters’ register. Those who register during the mop-up will not have their details verified and displayed during the exhibition, depriving political parties and stakeholders the opportunity to scrutinize these new entries.
- Electoral Calendar Disruption: The timing of this mop-up exercise threatens to throw the EC’s electoral calendar off gear. The short period between the end of the mop-up and the final submission of the voters’ register leaves little room for the EC to adequately process and verify the new registrations. This rushed timeline could compromise the integrity of the final voters’ register, leading to potential challenges and disputes.
- Stakeholder Confusion and Distrust: Political parties and other stakeholders rely on a clear and predictable electoral timetable to plan their activities and campaigns. Altering the sequence of key electoral events can create confusion, erode trust in the EC, and generate unnecessary tension among stakeholders. Recommendations
- Reschedule the Mop-Up: The EC should reconsider the timing of the mop-up registration exercise. Ideally, it should be scheduled immediately after the initial limited voter registration period and before the exhibition of the provisional voters’ register. This adjustment would ensure that all eligible voters are included in the exhibition, allowing for a more comprehensive and transparent verification process.
- Clear Communication: The EC must communicate any changes to the electoral calendar clearly and promptly to all stakeholders. This will help mitigate confusion and maintain trust in the electoral process.
- Adequate Processing Time : Sufficient time should be allocated between the end of the mop-up registration and the submission of the final voters’ register. This will ensure that the EC can accurately process and verify all new registrations, maintaining the integrity of the voters’ register.
In conclusion, while the intent behind the EC’s decision to conduct a mop-up voter registration is laudable, its current timing is problematic. Realigning the schedule to fit logically within the electoral calendar is essential to ensure a smooth, fair, and transparent electoral process. The EC must take immediate action to address these concerns and uphold the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process.
Source: InsiderGH.com
