A total of 18,986 people who registered in the just ended limited voters' registration exercise had their eligibility challenged nationwide on various grounds, the Electoral Commission has revealed.

Those who were challenged had their voter’s identity card retained by the officials of the Electoral Commission at the various district offices across the country until the determination of their cases.

The Ashanti Region recorded the highest number of people who were challenged with 5,084 while the Upper West had 246, the lowest number of cases.

The Greater Accra recorded 15,000 cases, and already, the various District Registration Review Committees have begun hearing the challenge cases.

The committees are made up of representatives of the various political parties, religious and traditional leaders as well as the security agencies and judges.

The committees are to determine the eligibility of those who were challenged, and if found to be eligible, their voter’s identity cards released to them to enable them vote in the November 7 general elections.

The Greater Accra Regional Director of the Electoral Commission, Kwame Amoah, explained that persons found guilty will either have their names deleted from the register or their cards being withheld.

“The committee's work is to focus on whether the person qualifies to have his details on the register or not. They invite the challenge [the person who challenged the voter] and the one challenged and if found not qualified, his details will be taken off the register,” he said

He said the work of the committee which begun after the first phase of the exercise is expected to be completed within seven days.

‘‘The process is ongoing, it will depend on the number of cases in each district then we will get to know the number cleared. There isn’t much timeline but when the issue comes to your notice, you have up to seven days to address’’.

The 10-day nationwide limited voter's registration exercise ended last Sunday. A number of people were reportedly unable to register in the exercise due to the limited registration centres used.