2024 Elections: Ghana to feature extended ballot with 9 vying for presidency

Ghanaian voters can expect a lengthy presidential ballot in the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections, according to Serebour Quaicoe, the Director of Training at the Electoral Commission (EC).

Quaicoe revealed that as of three days ago, nine independent presidential candidates had obtained passwords to download the nomination forms for the election. These nine independents join twelve political parties that have also secured codes for the nomination process, indicating a crowded race.

Quaicoe highlighted that the high number of candidates will result in an unusually long presidential ballot, a first in Ghana's electoral history.

In a related development, the EC, in a statement signed by Deputy Chairman in Charge of Operations, Samuel Tettey, directed all prospective independent candidates for the 2024 elections to collect their passwords from the EC’s headquarters. This will enable them to access and download the necessary nomination forms.

To obtain the passwords, candidates are required to present a letter of introduction addressed to the EC Chairperson.

Notable among the independent presidential hopefuls are Mr. Richard Sumah, George Twum Barima-Adu, Nana Kwame Bediako (popularly known as Cheddar), former Minister for Trade and Industry Alan Kyerematen, Samuel Apea-Danquah, Jacob Osei Yeboah, Nicholas Osei (also known as Rev. Kumchacha), and Dr. Samuel Ankrah.

Quaicoe reiterated that nine of these candidates have already collected the passwords required to access the nomination forms, signalling their intent to run in the upcoming elections.

He spoke on Accra-based Joy FM's 6:00 AM news on Friday, August 9, 2024.