Online exhibition of voters’ register unconstitutional - CenPOA

The Centre for Public Opinion and Awareness (CenPOA) has described the Electoral Commission’s online exhibition of the register as unconstitutional.

The Electoral Commission (EC) commenced the online exhibition of the provisional voters’ register, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, and running until Saturday, October 19, 2024.

In a statement, the EC encouraged voters to verify their details through the shortcode *711*51#, free of charge. This exercise is part of the Commission’s efforts to clean the voters’ register ahead of the final compilation for the 2024 General Election.

The online exhibition allows voters to review their information and report any discrepancies for correction by the Commission.

However, CenPOA has faulted the EC, claiming that the ongoing exercise violates our voter registration laws.

Executive Director Michael Donyinah Mensah stated in an interview on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM’s Frontline that the online exhibition differs from the original structure used for register registration and exhibition.

"The EC’s decision to exhibit the register online is unconstitutional. They are required by law after registration to compile the provisional register, hand over copies to the parties, and exhibit the the provisional register at the various exhibition centres to allow registered voters to verify their details on the register.

"The EC has however failed in doing this. This is problematic. The EC must attach some seriousness to its work. It must abide by the law because the online registration exercise is unconstitutional,’’ he said.

Mr. Donyinah Mensah stated that the online registration exercise is not efficient and will deprive several individuals of the opportunity of verifying their details in the register.

He said there are several communities without access to telephony services and electricity, making it difficult for registered voters in those areas to verify their names.

He also claimed that there is a significant number of registered voters who do not have access to mobile phones, "so it would be difficult for them to check their names. We also have others who are visually impaired and the unlettered who will have difficulties. Is the EC telling us all these categories of people are not part of the exhibition exercise?

"The law regulating electoral activities in the country has made it clear or stated explicitly what the EC should do in terms of exhibition. The 1995 election regulations, specifically C.I. 12, mandate the EC to exhibit the provisional register at registration centres so all registered voters will verify their details and make the necessary corrections. If they want to go beyond that and do so online, they could consider it.

"But the primary requirement as enshrined in the law is for them to conduct the exhibition exercise at the registration centres. The EC has failed in doing this, and we want to point out that it is not enough and will not capture everybody,’’ he added.