Electoral Commission Advocates Ghana Card as Sole ID to Prevent Election Conflicts

Ghana’s Electoral Commission is pushing for the Ghana Card to be the sole identification used in future elections, arguing that this change will help avoid the disputes that occurred during the recent voter transfer exercise.

The exercise, marked by several incidents of confusion and violence, notably recorded the injury of the son of Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Mavis Hawa Koomson, in Weija.

Addressing the media after a meeting with over 50 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa was optimistic that Parliament will understand the necessity of passing a bill to make the Ghana Card the sole requirement for voter registration.

“We have concluded the transfer of votes exercise, which went well overall, though we witnessed unrest and conflicts in some centers. Thankfully, no lives were lost. The conflicts often stemmed from the guarantor system, with parties challenging opponents and bringing people to stations using this system,” Mrs Mensa stated.

She emphasized the need for Parliament to support the Electoral Commission’s proposal to adopt the Ghana Card as the sole identification document, suggesting this change be implemented after the 2024 elections to avoid future conflicts.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the importance of involving journalists in Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meetings to ensure credible dissemination of information among all parties involved.

By collaborating closely with CSOs and pushing for legislative changes, the Electoral Commission aims to foster a more peaceful and orderly electoral process in the future.