Electoral Commission to revise Voters' Register

Accra, March 16, GNA - The Electoral Commission would revise the Voters' Register from Friday April 21 to Sunday April 30 2006 year as part of arrangements for the impending District Level Elections. The exercise, which would be from 0700 hours to 1800 hours daily, including the weekend, is to be undertaken in designated centres in each of the 5,000 electoral areas throughout the country.

A statement signed by Mr Samuel Yorke Aidoo, Director of Public Affairs, said Ghanaians who have attained the age of 18 years since the last registration exercise would be given the opportunity to register as voters. Older citizens, who for one reason or the other have not registered as voters could take advantage of this opportunity to register now. "Arrangements would be made for applicants whose registration data were captured during the replacement of the voters' register in 2004 but were unable to take their photographs to have their pictures taken and issued with voter I.D. cards", the statement said.

The statement urged all family heads, traditional rulers, assembly and unit Committee members, political parties, religious bodies and well-meaning Ghanaians to report on the death of friends; relations, members and acquaintances to enable the Commission to initiate steps to remove the names of deceased voters from the register to make it reliable, accurate and dependable. The Commission further stressed on the benefit of those who were registered as voters and had changed residence or misplaced their voter ID cards that there was no reason to register again since that constituted a punishable offence. The Commission said it would employ the transfer of vote facility to make it possible for all voters to vote at where they are currently resident and make arrangements to replace all lost ID cards before the elections.

The Commission further entreated all concerned to resist the temptation to register again if they know very well that they have been registered already. "All Ghanaians and stakeholders are expected to co-operate and maintain the required vigilance to make the revision of the voters' register a great success." The Commission reminded the public that the register remained a major determinant in ensuring credible, free and fair elections at all levels at all times.