All set for Ghana's elections, Electoral Commission assures

Ghana

Ghana’s electoral commission has assured the public that everything is in place for the December 7 general elections scheduled to begin at 0700 GMT.

15,712,499 registered voters are expected to vote for seven presidential candidates and 1,158 parliamentary candidates at 28,992 polling stations nationwide on Wednesday.

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, we expect election materials to arrive early at all polling stations and we expect the polls to open at exactly 7am and close at 5pm. If you are in the queue at 5pm, you will be allowed to vote no matter how long it takes,” Charlotte Osei, chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana announced on Tuesday evening.

She added that the commission expects a voter turnout of 80% as was the case with the special voting exercise organised for the media, EC officials and security personnel on December 1 and 4.

Security

Charlotte Osei said 148,000 election officials have been deployed and 64,000 security personnel have been stationed around the country to ensure security.

She also stated that the police have issued a ban on the use of motorbikes from 1700 GMT on Wednesday to 0600 GMT on Thursday to preserve the peace of the polls.

Among other security measures put in place on election day are the ban on sale of alcohol within 500 metres of a polling station, ban on use of mortorbikes within 400 metres of a polling station.

Also, bags, purses, pens, mobile phones, food and drinks are disallowed in the ballot screen, the EC chair emphasized.

Over 400 foreign observers and over 12,000 local observers will actively monitor the process.