EC Opens Applications For Special Voting

The Electoral Commission (EC) has commenced receiving applications for special voting, aimed at qualified institutions and individuals. Scheduled for December 2, 2024, this special voting allows eligible voters who cannot be present at their designated polling stations on election day due to official duties to participate.

Applications for special voting will be accepted until July 1, requiring justification for consideration. The EC emphasized that this process is not automatic; eligible individuals must apply to participate.

Special voting will take place across all 276 constituencies nationwide, with each voter casting their ballot in their respective constituency as indicated on their Voter ID cards. This voting right is guaranteed under Regulation 3(1) of Constitutional Instrument (CI) 127.

Eligible voters include personnel from various sectors such as the military, police, immigration service, Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, Prisons Service, Fire Service, polling officers, permanent staff of the EC, and the media.

Applicants must be registered voters in the constituencies where they intend to vote. Those granted special voting rights will be excluded from the regular voting list for the December 7 polls, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process.

To facilitate the application and voting process, applicants are required to apply directly to the Returning Officer of their constituency. Institutions can submit lists of their officers, including each applicant’s name, Voter ID number, and Polling Station Code from their Voter ID cards.

Each constituency’s district police headquarters will serve as special voting centers. Additional centers will be designated within the same constituency if a voting center exceeds 750 voters.

EC Chairperson Jean Mensa assured that stringent measures are in place to safeguard the integrity of the special voting process. Applicants who have misplaced their Voter ID cards are encouraged to replace them during the application period to ensure accurate processing.

For more information and to apply, interested parties should contact their constituency’s Returning Officer.