Electoral Commission Chairperson to Update Parliament on Limited Voter Registration Exercise

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa, is set to make an appearance before Parliament on November 8, 2023, to provide a comprehensive report on the recently concluded limited voter registration process.

This announcement was made by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who emphasized the significance of hearing from the EC before passing judgments on the matter. He disclosed that the EC boss would address the House on various electoral issues during the session.

The limited voter registration exercise, which took place from September 12 to October 2, saw the registration of over 600,000 new voters. However, the EC faced criticism from the Minority in Parliament, who argued against the decision to confine registration centers to district offices. They contended that this choice added a financial burden to Members of Parliament.

The EC’s decision to restrict registration locations to district offices also received public backlash, including criticism from the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and civil society organizations, who called for more accessible registration sites. Despite these calls, the EC adhered to its approach and successfully concluded the registration at district offices by the October 2, 2023 deadline, without an extension.

In light of the upcoming parliamentary briefing by the EC Chairperson, Parliament aims to gain a more in-depth understanding of the limited voter registration process and related matters. The briefing on November 8 is expected to shed light on the details and outcomes of this important electoral exercise.