Concerns Rise Over Potential Disenfranchisement in Voter Registration Exercise

Concerns Rise Over Potential Disenfranchisement in Voter Registration Exercise

The Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has voiced concerns over the potential disenfranchisement of first-time voters in the ongoing voter registration exercise. His concerns center around the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to limit registration to district offices, effectively discouraging first-time voters due to the substantial travel distances and costs involved. Mr. Ablakwa expressed his disappointment over the silence of civil society and the clergy on this issue, urging them to advocate for the expansion of registration centers.

These remarks were made after the MP visited some registration centers in his constituency, where he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by potential registrants. In some instances, registrants were required to travel more than 60 kilometers, involving a twenty-minute canoe ride on the Volta Lake and a five-kilometer journey to the registration center. The cost of travel, which could add up to GH¢95 ($16.38), presents a significant barrier for many, particularly for residents of smaller communities like Torgorme and Fodzoku.

Operational Hiccups at Registration Centers

On top of the travel issues, Mr. Ablakwa highlighted the operational problems faced by registrants at the centers. During his visit, he observed that the registration process was halted due to network challenges, causing over 100 registrants, including students, apprentices, and a disabled young man, to be sent home and asked to return the following day. This inconvenience, coupled with the cost and risk of travel, is discouraging many first-time voters from registering.

Mr. Ablakwa argues that the EC’s approach to the registration exercise needs to be reconsidered. He questioned why young people are being put through such an ordeal for wanting to exercise their constitutional right to vote. He called on the EC to heed calls to open more centers and ease the process at existing ones, emphasizing that it’s not too late to make these changes.

Call for More Inclusive Registration Process

While the EC’s approach to the registration process is ultimately their decision to make, it is clear that the current system is not working for first-time voters. The potential disenfranchisement of these voters could have significant implications for the democratic process. As such, there is a pressing need for the EC to consider the feedback from Mr. Ablakwa and others who have raised similar concerns, and to make the necessary adjustments to the registration process.

Addressing concerns and criticisms associated with the ongoing limited voter registration exercise, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa, stated that Parliament’s failure to pass the new C.I. for continuous registration in all district offices nationwide has left the Commission in a difficult position. Despite the challenges, the EC has increased the registration stations in some areas, swiftly replaced faulty kits, and committed to working around the clock to ensure that every eligible voter who is desirous to register does so with ease.