Preparations are underway for the upcoming voters’ registration exercise scheduled to take place nationwide from May 7 to May 27, 2024.
The Electoral Commission (EC) is set to conduct the exercise at all 268 of its offices, including those in Santrofi, Akpafu, Lolobi, Likpe (SALL) in the Guan Constituency of the Oti Region.
This critical matter will be a focal point of discussion as the EC convenes with the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) in a crucial meeting in Accra today.
Following the registration, there will be another nationwide initiative to replace missing voter ID cards, commencing on May 30, 2024.
Additionally, a reliable source within the EC has revealed to the Daily Graphic that 775 registration centers will be established in remote and riverine areas, managed by registration mobile teams.
Moreover, registration centers will be set up in 25 public universities across the country. However, no centers will be designated in senior high schools (SHS). Public education campaigns will precede the registration process to ensure widespread awareness among citizens.
According to the disclosed schedule, the provisional voters’ register will be submitted to political parties between July 9 and July 18, 2024. Subsequently, an exhibition of the voters’ register is scheduled to take place from July 15 to July 24, 2024.
The final voters’ register is anticipated to be handed over to political parties between August 30 and September 5, 2024.
In a related development, the EC will oversee a by-election in the Ejisu Constituency on April 30, 2024, to fill the vacancy left by the late Dr. John Ampontuah Kumah, who passed away on March 7, 2024.
This electoral process aligns with the provisions of Article 112 (5) of the 1992 Constitution, stipulating that a by-election must be held within 60 days of a parliamentary vacancy. Furthermore, Article 112(6) of the 1992 Constitution specifies that a by-election should not occur three months before a general election.
Looking ahead, the EC’s agenda for the 2024 general election indicates that nominations for presidential and parliamentary candidates will be received from September 9 to 13. This marks the final phase leading up to the culmination of the political season.
Subsequently, the balloting for positions on the presidential ballot paper will take place on September 23, 2024, followed by parliamentary balloting on September 24, 2024. If all progresses as planned, the EC aims to declare the results of the 2024 presidential polls within three days of the voting process.