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The Electoral Commission (EC) has started accepting applications for special voting from eligible institutions and individuals, with the voting set for Monday, December 2, 2024.
Applications will be accepted until July 1, allowing eligible individuals with valid reasons to request special voting rights. Special voting is not automatic; qualified individuals must apply.
The special voting will occur in all 276 constituencies nationwide, with each voter required to vote in their registered constituency as indicated on their Voter ID card.
Special Voting Regulations
Regulated by Constitutional Instrument (CI) 127, Regulation 3(1) stipulates that voters can apply to their constituency’s returning officer to be registered as special voters if election duties prevent them from voting at their registered polling station on election day.
Eligible voters for special status include staff from the military, police, Immigration Service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Prisons Service, Fire Service, polling officers, permanent EC staff, and media personnel.
Preventing Double Voting
Applicants must be registered voters in their respective constituencies. Approved special voters will be removed from the regular voting list for the December 7 polls to prevent double voting. EC Chairperson Jean Mensa highlighted that stringent measures are in place to safeguard the integrity of the special voting process.
Each constituency’s district police headquarters will serve as special voting centers. If the number of voters at a special voting center exceeds the 750 threshold, an additional center will be designated within the same area to facilitate the process.
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit a letter from their institution confirming their employment. Institutions may also submit a list of their staff to the Returning Officer to streamline the registration process. The list should include each applicant’s name, Voter ID number, and Polling Station Code as per the Voter ID Card. This information will help verify the applicant’s voter registration in the constituency.
All applicants must apply in person to the Returning Officer. Mrs. Mensa advised those who have lost their Voter ID cards to replace them to provide accurate details for their applications.
