Continuing registration not likely for 2016 elections – EC

The Electoral Commission has hinted that persons who have not already registered may not vote in the 2016 elections.

The Communications Director of the EC, Mr. Eric Dzakpasu, gave the hint when he answered questions on the electoral process so far on Joy FM/MultiTV’s news analysis programme, Newsfile.

By law, no person can get onto the electoral roll, 60 days to elections.

Currently the EC is conducting an exhibition exercise where registered voters are required to check their names to be sure they are in the register.

Alongside the exercise, some 56,000 persons whose names were deleted from the register by reason of they having used health insurance cards to register are also re-registering.

Ordinarily, there ought to have been continuing registration, a window for persons who were unable to register in the last limited registration and previous registration exercises to do so.

Many especially in tertiary institutions complained they were unable to register during the limited registration exercise for first time voters because the EC did not make adequate provisions for them.

It was expected they will register during the continuing registration at a date yet to be determined by the EC in consultation with the political parties.

But Mr. Eric Dzakpasu says it looks less likely that this can happen in this year’s elections.

A technical committee, he said, has met on the issue and is yet to present its report to the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC).

With a proposed constitutional amendment to hold the elections in November rejected by Parliament, Mr. Dzakpasu said the December date may leave a small window of opportunity for the continuous registration to take place if it is recommended.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Malik Abass Daabu (Twitter @MalikDaabu)