Jean Mensa with Dr. George Akuffo Dampare
The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC), Jean Mensa and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare have assured Ghanaians of peaceful and credible elections on December 7.
Speaking at a meeting with the National Elections Security Taskforce at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission yesterday, Ms. Mensa indicated that the just-ended voter registration exercise, transfer of votes, proxy voting, and the application of the special voting activities were violence-free as a result of the collaborated effort of the taskforce headed by Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
“The registration exercise was successful and very inclusive, and it ensured that any interested citizen who wanted to register had the opportunity to do so. As a result of the robust methodology put in place, we were able to bring on board several people interested, and eligible Ghanaians who were interested in registering,” she said.
Ms. Mensa also attributed the peaceful voter exercise to the cooperation between the commission and the national elections security taskforce under the leadership of the IGP.
“We have had a series of extensive meetings with the national elections security taskforce under the leadership of IGP, as we have enjoyed fruitful deliberations culminating in the peaceful arrangement we witnessed during the recent voter registration and its related activities. Unlike in the past where we saw many incidents of violence and conflict, it was minimised during the exercise,” she stated.
Further praising the police, the EC Chairperson said the police ensured that officers of the commission’s mobile teams also enjoyed protection just as their registration centres.
“We enjoyed police presence in all our registration centres, and the police also provided security for our mobile teams when they moved around the country. I would like to pledge our commitment to always work with security agencies to ensure our objectives of ensuring free and transparent elections are achieved,” she added.
Registration Updates
The mop-up registration exercise will take off from August 1 to 3, 2024. According to the EC Chairperson, this exercise is to afford those who turned 18 years after May 29, or eligible persons who have not previously registered the opportunity to register.
The voter exhibition exercise is slated for August 20 to 27 across polling stations in the country. The EC also announced that from August 20, the commission will roll out an electronic verification code system that will allow interested citizens to verify registration details in the comfort of their homes.
Ms. Jean Mensa reiterated the commission’s commitment to deliver credible, free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections through the collaborative support of the National Elections Security Taskforce.
“I believe that our activities from the start of this year through to this time reveal this is the commission that is transparent and holds dear the value of transparency and accountability in all our dealings,” she added.
For his part, Dr. Akuffo Dampare commended personnel of the various security agencies for their commitment and hard work towards sustaining the peace of the country.
He said the police are intentional about their responsibility to guard the peace of the country.
“We are grateful to the public and the EC and all other stakeholders for the cooperation we have had from them so far. I will continue to urge them to support the police in ensuring that Ghana continues to be the beacon of hope for the continent and beyond. This is the only country we have and we need to ensure it’s always at peace,” he added.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke