The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has reaffirmed that the exhibition of the Provisional Voters Register (PVR) is a critical measure to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the electoral process.
In a statement released on social media on Thursday, the EC emphasized that the primary purpose of the exhibition exercise is to identify and correct any errors or omissions before the final voter register is printed and used in the upcoming elections.
This statement from the EC follows concerns raised by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), which has called for urgent corrections to errors in the PVR.
The NDC flag bearer, John Dramani Mahama, criticized the EC for what he described as numerous anomalies in the voter exhibition process.
Speaking at a campaign event in Adjen Kotoku, Amasaman Constituency, on Wednesday, August 28, Mahama highlighted issues such as missing names, unauthorized transfers, and instances of multiple registrations.
He warned that these problems, if not resolved, could lead to chaos on election day and urged the EC to take swift action to protect the credibility of the December 2024 elections.
“A lot of people cannot find their names. Other people’s names have been transferred without their knowledge. People have registered for a proxy without using their biometric cards. “People who have done multiple registrations, their names are still on the register,” Mahama stated.
In response to these concerns, the EC clarified that the exhibition exercise, a practice in place since 1992, allows for the identification and correction of discrepancies in the provisional register.
The EC assured that, only after all identified issues are addressed, will the final voters register be compiled and prepared for the elections.
The Electoral Commission also announced plans to split polling stations with more than 700 registered voters into two—designated as A and B—for the December 7 general elections.
This move, similar to what was implemented during the 2020 elections, aims to reduce long queues and ensure a smoother voting process.
However, the recent voter registration exercise and subsequent exhibition have caused confusion among voters, with some having to move between polling stations to locate their names.
This issue has prompted further concerns from the NDC, which continues to scrutinize the provisional voter register provided by the EC.
The EC’s efforts to ensure an accurate and transparent electoral process remain under close watch as the December 2024 elections approach.
