EC To Register Ghanaian Troops Abroad

The Electoral Commission (EC) is liaising with Ghanaian missions abroad, particularly in areas where peacekeeping troops are serving, to have Ghanaian soldiers registered when the new voters? register opens next month.

The Chairman of the EC, Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, who disclosed this in Accra, said the concession would allow those serving the country outside to exercise their franchise in the December 2004 elections.

He said the EC would put in place measures to ensure free and fair elections, adding that the registration exercise was the beginning of the election process. He said the registration exercise would be preceded by the compilation of data at the headquarters of the commission into a provisional register which would then be displayed at the registration centres for public scrutiny.

Dr Afari-Gyan said the necessary corrections would be effected on the provisional register before the final print out in September.He warned against multiple registration, interfering with electoral processes, registration of minors, forgery, among other things and said the Public Order Act would catch up with anyone who indulged in such vices.

He explained that the EC had a limited number of cameras and said prospective voters in the Upper East and Upper West regions would have their photographs taken as they registered while those in other regions would have their turns later.Dr Afari-Gyan said the EC had begun intensive educational campaigns throughout the country on the registration exercise, using the media for people-to-people contact.

On the registration of students, Dr Afari-Gyan said they had an option to go back to their constituencies and register or register on their campuses, adding that they were at liberty to choose whatever option would make them to exercise their franchise in the December elections.