Electoral Commission conducts rescheduled special voting in Eastern and Western Regions

The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is conducting rescheduled special voting today, Thursday, December 5, 2024, in the Eastern and Western regions, ahead of the December 7 general elections.

The exercise was initially slated for Monday, December 2, but was postponed following the discovery of a defaced ballot paper marked for destruction outside the Checkpoint Printing House, raising concerns about the integrity of the materials.

Although no irregularities were reported with the Western Region’s ballots, the printing press responsible for the Eastern Region’s materials also handled those for the Western Region. As a precaution, the EC decided to recall and reprint the ballot papers for both regions.

Preparations for Today’s Exercise

The reprinted ballot papers were delivered to the two regions on Wednesday, December 4, ensuring readiness for today’s voting exercise. EC Chairperson Jean Mensa assured stakeholders during the process that stringent measures were in place to maintain the integrity and transparency of the elections.

Special voting allows designated groups, including election officials, security personnel, and media practitioners, who will be on duty on election day, to cast their votes in advance. This exercise had already been conducted successfully in 14 other regions on December 2.

Details of the Exercise

Polling stations in the Eastern and Western regions opened at 7:00 AM and will close at 5:00 PM. Only voters listed in the Special Voters Register are eligible to participate, with biometric verification systems ensuring accuracy and transparency.

Votes cast during the special voting exercise will be securely sealed and transported to the EC’s regional offices, where they will remain under strict security until the general counting begins on December 7.

Commitment to Free and Fair Elections

The Electoral Commission has reiterated its dedication to conducting a free, fair, and credible election. Jean Mensa emphasized that the measures taken to address the issues and reschedule the voting underscore the EC’s commitment to ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

Participants have been urged to adhere to voting guidelines and maintain peace throughout the exercise. A successful special voting process today is expected to bolster public confidence in the forthcoming December 7 general elections.