EC chairperson Mrs Jean Mensa, in an inter-party meeting held on 14th December, 2023 by the National Peace Council has pronounced the closing time for the 2024 elections.
In that meeting she spelt out measures the commission intends to administer for the 2024 to close at 3pm.
Among suggestions were the trimming of voters at a polling station and increase the number of polling stations nationwide. The EC boss says, 70% and over polling stations had 500 voters or more registered at one polling station in the 2020 elections, and the EC will ensure 500 voters or less.
She says “ this will help reduce the long queues, allowing a smooth voting process. In 2020, it took not more than 5 minutes for voters to cast their ballots due to this process.”
Referring to the 2020 election Mrs Jean Mensa reveals that polling stations were empty as at 1pm meaning most voters had exercised their franchise.
The EC chairperson stated “Closing at 3pm will help count and collate results in broad daylight for transparency.” This will enhance transparency and orderliness as the Ghanaian populace desires.
Chairperson Jean Mensa further states that they are convinced that “the 2020 election presented opportunities for improvement and that the EC is committed to continue enhancing electoral processes.”
However, speaking to some citizens they mentioned that, most of the laws initiated by authorities are not implemented hence, there is no proof that the this particular rule will be implemented.
Others mentioned that , due to their businesses a favourable time cannot be predicted, and they may not be able to be at the polling station at the proposed time.
Moreover, other people mentioned that, as the power lies in the hands of the authority, as citizens, they have no option than to abide by it if it’s being implemented.
