EC to register additional 1 million eligible voters in 2016

The Electoral Commission (EC) has projected to register 1,000,000 more eligible voters to the current voter population of the country, come 2016.

Should the projection materialize, the country’s voter population will then hit a record high of about 15,700,000.

The Electoral Commission chaired by Madam Charlotte Osei is planning to add about the 350,000 voters registered during the limited voters registration exercise in the last three years to the over 14,200,000 recorded for the 2012 general elections to bring the current voters roll to about 14,600,000.

That means should the EC achieve its target of registering additional 1,000,000 eligible voters in 2016, the total voter population will then stand at about 15,700,000.

This proposal, together with others, was contained in a document submitted to Parliament for consideration and approval.

Minority’s concern

But the Minority has raised concerns about the projected figure, wondering “where the Electoral Commission is going to get the numbers from.”

“You have attempted limited registration for three years and you registered 350,000 and yet you intend to register additional 1,000,000 to bring the figure to 15,700,000. Mr. Speaker, this is something that the Parliamentary Committee may have to sit down with the EC because they shouldn’t do anything that may trigger some unwarranted tension in this country.”

“We don’t need that because already the 14.2million which translates into about 54.4% is worrying. The 15.7million Mr. Speaker, will translates into 57.7% of the population of this country which will be eligible to cast their vote. That will be a dangerous thing.

"This should not be taken as a joke. The Committee should sit down with the EC and brainstorm over it,” argues the Minority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu in his contribution for the approval of the sum of GHC826,897,772.00 for the Electoral Commission to implement its routine and electoral programs in 2016.