Special Voting is currently ongoing at selected polling stations across Ghana, marking a significant step in the lead-up to the December 7 general elections. This exercise, which caters to individuals who will play crucial roles on election day, is designed to allow them to cast their votes early and ensure their availability for election duties.
The Special Voting primarily targets electoral officials, security personnel, and media representatives who will be actively involved in the general election process. The Electoral Commission (EC) confirmed that approximately 131,478 individuals, representing 0.007% of the total registered electorate of 18,741,159, are expected to participate in this critical exercise today, December 2. Special Voting is taking place in 14 of Ghana’s 16 regions, excluding the Eastern and Western Regions. The absence of voting in these two regions stems from an EC directive to recall and reprint ballot papers following a reported breach of security seals.
To uphold the integrity of the process, special voting in the Eastern and Western Regions has been rescheduled for Thursday, December 5. Jean Mensa, the Chairperson of the EC, during an Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting, provided assurances to the public regarding the credibility and efficiency of the voting process.
She emphasised the EC’s dedication to addressing all concerns, ensuring transparency, and delivering a free and fair election.
The Special Voting exercise runs from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at designated polling centres across the 14 regions. Eligible voters are required to present valid identification to polling officials to participate. Unlike the regular voting process, ballots cast during Special Voting will not be tallied on the same day.
Instead, they will be securely stored and counted on December 7 at the Constituency Collation Centres. These results will then be documented separately on Presidential and Parliamentary Election Results Collation Forms and subsequently integrated into the overall election results.
By: Kabah Atawoge
