The Electoral Commission (EC) has indicated that it is prepared to use the Ghana Card as the only means of establishing citizenship during the upcoming voter registration operation.
Dr Serebour Quaicoe, the EC’s Director of Electoral Services, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview that the Commission had already achieved an agreement with political parties and was awaiting Parliament’s approval of a modification to the registration regulations to legalize the move.
He said that when the legislation is altered, those who do not possess the Ghana card would be unable to register to vote since the law will prohibit the use of a passport or guarantors in lieu of the Ghana Card.
“We are going to amend the law to incorporate that. What it means is that going forward, for anybody who turns 18 and wants to register, you have to come with evidence of the Ghana card to show that you are a Ghanaian and 18 years then we will register the person. You can’t use your passport or guarantors when the law is amended,” he said.
The EC’s most recent voter registration drive took place in June 2020, just before the general elections.
The EC recognized the Ghanaian passport and Ghana card as evidence of citizenship throughout that registration process. Individuals who lacked both papers were required to submit two guarantors who were already enrolled.
As of October this year, the National Identification Authority said that it has given cards to around 12 million Ghanaians.
Dr. Quaicoo said that the EC is still examining the 2020 elections and is collaborating with political parties and others to develop changes that would improve the country’s electoral administration systems.
“Our doors are open for proposals and recommendations and if it is in accordance with the law, we are going to assess it together and if possible, we will add it to our reforms,” he said.
Article 51 of the 1992 Constitution empowers the EC to enact laws necessary to carry out its activities effectively, including voter registration, the holding of public elections, and referendums.
The registration of 2020 voters was controlled by the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) (Amendment) Regulation, 2020 (C.I. 126), which was approved by Parliament in June 2020.
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SOURCE: GNA
