Electoral Commission opens applications for special voting

The Electoral Commission (EC) has opened applications for special voting for qualified institutions and individuals, scheduled for Monday, December 2, 2024.

Applications will close on July 1 for those who have a just cause to be granted access to participate in this special voting.

The EC explained that this special voting process is not automatic, adding that qualified individuals must apply.

The special voting will occur in all 276 constituencies across the country, with each voter casting their vote in their constituency as indicated on their Voter ID cards.

Special voting is guaranteed under Regulation 3(1) of Constitutional Instrument (CI) 127.

It allows voters to apply to the returning officer of their constituency if, due to election duties, they cannot be present at their polling station on election day.

Eligible voters include staff of the military, police, immigration service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Prisons Service, Fire Service, polling officers, permanent staff of the EC, and the media.

Applicants for special voting rights must be registered voters in the constituencies where they intend to vote.

Those granted special voting rights will be removed from the regular voting list for the December 7 polls.

This measure is intended to prevent double-voting, the EC said.

EC Chairperson, Jean Mensa, said that stringent measures are in place to prevent any undermining of the special voting process.

Each constituency’s district police headquarters will serve as special voting centres.

If the number of voters at a special voting centre exceed 750, an additional centre will be designated within the same constituency to facilitate the process.

“To ensure a seamless application and voting process, all applicants must apply directly to the Returning Officer of their constituency.

“Applicants must provide a letter from their institutions confirming their employment. Institutions can submit a list of their officers as a group, which must include each applicant’s name, Voter ID number, and Polling Station Code as it appears on their Voter ID Card. This information enables the Returning Officer to verify the applicant’s registration in the constituency.

“All applicants must apply in person to the Returning Officer. Those who have misplaced their Voter ID cards should replace them during the exercise to state the correct particulars in their applications,” the EC stated.

NAY/AE

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