Jean Mensa Affirms EC’s Preparedness for December 2 Special Voting Exercise

   The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has officially confirmed its preparedness for the special voting exercise scheduled for Monday, December 2, 2024. Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the EC, reassured the public that all necessary arrangements have been made, including the completion of critical logistical preparations such as the distribution of the Voters’ Register, ballot papers, and biometric verification devices.

In a statement made during a meeting with the National Election Security Taskforce (NESTF) on Tuesday, November 26, Mensa provided an update on the progress the EC has made in ensuring the smooth execution of the upcoming special voting process. She highlighted that the Commission had taken significant steps to ensure the exercise would be well-organized and secure, allowing eligible voters, particularly security personnel and essential staff, to cast their ballots in advance of the general elections scheduled for 2024.

One of the key updates from the EC Chair was the completion of the nationwide distribution of the Voters’ Register, a crucial step in ensuring that all eligible voters are properly registered and their details are accessible for the exercise. According to Mensa, the process of distributing the Voters’ Register has been successfully carried out across the country, marking a significant milestone in the Commission’s preparations for the December 2 special voting.

Mensa also revealed that the distribution of the presidential and parliamentary ballot papers had been finalized by November 26. This achievement means that the necessary materials for the voting exercise are now in place, ensuring that the process will proceed without any delays due to the unavailability of the necessary ballots. The timely distribution of these materials is a critical component of the EC’s efforts to ensure a smooth and efficient voting process.

In addition to the ballot papers, the EC Chairperson assured the public that the distribution of biometric verification devices would be completed by the end of the weekend. These devices play an essential role in verifying the identities of voters and ensuring that the voting process is both transparent and secure. With the distribution of these devices on track, Mensa expressed confidence that the EC would be fully equipped to handle the verification of voters on the day of the special voting.

An important aspect of the EC’s preparations is the recruitment of temporary staff. Mensa confirmed that the Commission had hired nearly 210,000 temporary officials, who will be deployed across the more than 40,900 polling stations throughout the country. These personnel, which include returning officers, deputy returning officers, presiding officers, and polling assistants, will be responsible for overseeing the voting process and ensuring that all election procedures are followed correctly. The large number of personnel recruited reflects the EC’s commitment to ensuring that the special voting exercise is conducted smoothly and without any hitches.

At the meeting with the NESTF, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare, who also serves as the Chairman of the Taskforce, reassured the public of the security arrangements in place for the special voting exercise. He emphasized that all security agencies involved in the election process are fully committed to protecting the safety of all citizens and stakeholders throughout the electoral period. Dr. Dampare stressed that security personnel would be deployed at various polling stations to maintain peace, ensure order, and prevent any disruptions during the voting process.

The NESTF’s involvement in the planning and coordination of security for the election is an essential part of the EC’s strategy to ensure a safe and secure environment for voting. The IGP’s comments further strengthened the public’s confidence in the security arrangements for the upcoming special voting exercise.

Jean Mensa’s comments highlighted the EC’s dedication to ensuring that the electoral process is fair, transparent, and well-organized. By addressing all aspects of the voting exercise—ranging from the distribution of the Voters’ Register to the recruitment of election officials and the provision of biometric verification devices—the EC has demonstrated its readiness to facilitate a smooth special voting process.

The special voting exercise is an important part of Ghana’s election calendar, as it allows security personnel and other essential staff who are unable to vote on election day to cast their ballots early. This ensures that these individuals, who often work during the general election, are able to participate in the democratic process. The EC’s successful preparation for the December 2 exercise marks a key step toward ensuring the general elections will be conducted effectively and efficiently.

As the country prepares for the upcoming elections, the EC’s ability to ensure all logistical and security measures are in place will be critical to the overall success of the electoral process. With the public reassured of the Commission’s readiness, attention will now turn to the execution of the special voting on December 2, with the hope that it will set the stage for a smooth general election in 2024.