The Head of the Electoral Commission’s (EC) Training Department, Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, has explained that the GH₵0.50 fee for online voter registration checks is paid directly to the service providers and does not go to the Electoral Commission.
He noted that this fee has been consistently set at 50 pesewas during the 2016 and 2020 elections.
The South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has voiced concerns about the GH₵0.50 fee for verifying voter registration details through the shortcode *71151#, which the EC has introduced for the 2024 general election.
Mr. Dafeamekpor questioned the need for this charge associated with the service.
Speaking on JoyNews AM show, Dr Quaicoe said that “It is for service charges, and not for the Electoral Commission. If the money were to come to the Electoral Commission, then that is our money for us to account for but is for the service charges. If you use MTN, the money goes to MTN; if you use Telecel, it goes to Telecel.”
Dr. Serebour Quaicoe clarified that the GH₵0.50 fee for online voter registration checks does not come from the Electoral Commission’s budget.
He explained that if the fee were part of the EC’s budget, the funds would go directly to the Commission.
Dr. Quaicoe emphasized that the EC’s responsibility is to facilitate voter verification at polling stations, while the service provider manages online verification for those unable to visit a polling station.
“So, if you cannot go, then you are using the service provider’s facilities to check, and that is the charge you pay for using their services.”