The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has released a comprehensive breakdown of voter statistics for the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections. The report reveals that 18,774,159 valid voters are expected to participate in the elections, marking a 10.25% increase from the 2020 total of 17,027,641 registered voters. This growth reflects a steadily rising engagement in the nation’s democratic process.
Voter Categories Breakdown
The total registered voters comprise three main categories: biometric voters, special voters, and non-biometric voters, with biometric verification playing a crucial role in the EC's effort to ensure election integrity.
Biometric Voters
Nearly all (18,640,811) of the registered voters have biometric data and will undergo biometric verification on election day. This group makes up about 99.29% of the total voter population, emphasizing Ghana’s reliance on biometric technology to prevent fraud and enhance voter identification accuracy.
Special Voters
Special voters include personnel such as security officers, media staff, and Electoral Commission officials with responsibilities on election day. These voters are permitted to cast their ballots ahead of December 7, ensuring they can fulfill their duties without forfeiting their voting rights. For 2024, special voters number 131,478, a 19.9% increase from 2020's 109,577, underscoring the EC's commitment to accommodate essential election staff.
Voters Without Biometric Data
A small group of 1,870 voters lack biometric data, often due to data corruption issues. The EC has stated that these voters will be manually verified on election day, ensuring that no eligible citizen is disenfranchised due to technical issues.
Absent Voters and Transfer Arrangements
Absent votersencompass those who cannot be present at their assigned polling stations on election day, including both special voters and those whose polling stations have been closed for administrative reasons. According to the EC, about 884 individuals fall under this category because their original polling stations failed to meet minimum voter requirements or were closed based on community requests. These voters have been transferred to alternate polling locations, allowing them to participate in the election despite the closures.
Exceptions List
The exceptions list includes 33,352 individuals flagged for review due to irregularities or potential eligibility concerns. Placement on this list does not necessarily imply ineligibility but indicates an issue that requires resolution before, during, or after the election. Election officials will address these cases to ensure that all qualified voters can participate without hindrance.
A Transparent Approach to Election Management
The EC's meticulous approach to voter registration, data verification, and the management of exceptions reflects Ghana’s commitment to maintaining a transparent and credible electoral process. By categorizing voters and addressing potential complications in advance, the EC seeks to facilitate a smooth voting experience for all eligible Ghanaians. With this organized framework, the nation anticipates a high voter turnout and a robust election process on December 7, 2024.
This voter statistics release represents the EC's readiness to deliver a fair and efficient election, emphasizing transparency and accountability at every step.
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