In order to improve transparency, the Electoral Commission (EC) is suggesting that the polls for the general election in 2024 end at 3:30 pm.
The chair of the EC, Jean Mensa, referenced the results of the 2020 election, saying that by 1:00 pm, about 70% of polling places were deserted.
She claims that this is because multiple polling places were established, which sped up the process.
In an effort to shorten the voting period, Mrs. Mensa emphasized the plan to establish numerous polling places, each holding a maximum of 500 voters.
Because there were more polling places in the previous election, voters spent no more than five minutes casting their ballots.
“We are convinced that closing the polls at 3 pm will enable counting and collating to take place in broad daylight and promote the needed transparency and orderliness we so desire.
“We trust that our Parliament will support this drive to ensure greater transparency and orderliness in our electoral process,” Mrs Jean Mensa said.
Meanwhile, John Mahama has pleaded with the EC not to rig the general election in favor of any candidate.
As part of the “Building Ghana Together” tour, the former president addressed an energizing group of students at the Wiaso College of Education and Nursing Training in the Western North Region.
He stated that the Electoral Commission‘s stance is crucial to a credible election.
“They should do their duty to God and country. They shouldn’t cheat for anybody. I don’t want them to cheat for me and they shouldn’t rig the election for anybody”, John Mahama stressed.
“They should let the voice of the people speak and they should let the wish of the Ghanaian people prevail,” he said.
“Electoral Commission Officers, I am appealing to your conscience and your heart, on that day 7th December when you come out, do your work as strictly and according to the rules as possible”.
