By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The special voting exercise organized by Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) for personnel who will be on duty during the December 7, 2024, presidential and parliamentary elections went smoothly overall. However, a few challenges were identified, raising concerns that need to be addressed before the main polls.
At the Adentan Divisional Police Command, where the special voting exercise for the Adentan Constituency took place, some issues tested the robustness and integrity of the electoral system ahead of Saturday’s elections.
Blank and Duplicate Ballots Raise Concerns
At one of the two polling centers, some ballot booklets were found to contain blank sheets, while others had duplicate serial numbers. This sparked intense arguments between EC officials and political party agents over whether the blank and duplicate ballots should be included or destroyed. The debate escalated during the completion of the Statement of Polls and Declaration of Results Form, commonly known in Ghana as the “Pink Sheet.”
Cooler heads eventually prevailed following engagements with political party representatives and EC officials, allowing the process to continue smoothly.
Missing Names on Special Voter List
Another challenge observed was the absence of names on the special voters’ list. Some security personnel were turned away because their names were not on the register, despite claims that their names had been submitted for inclusion.
One stranded security officer in Adentan, whose name was missing from the voters’ register, told the media that he had personally verified his inclusion on the EC’s portal and was scheduled to vote on December 2, 2024, at the Adentan Police Station.
However, EC officials explained that many personnel failed to confirm their names at their constituency offices after submission, which accounted for the discrepancies.
Voter Turnout
At the Adentan Police Station, 937 out of the expected 1,202 voters—representing a turnout of 77%—cast their ballots in both the presidential and parliamentary elections.
Parliamentary Candidates Express Confidence
Speaking to the media, the parliamentary candidates for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mohammed Abu Ramadan, and the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Akosua Manu, expressed confidence in winning the upcoming election.
Since its creation in 2004, the Adentan Constituency has maintained high standards for its Members of Parliament (MPs), demanding significant transformation and results. This has led to a trend where most MPs serve only one term, reflecting voters’ high expectations.
For NDC’s Mohammed Abu Ramadan, the incumbent MP seeking re-election, the constituency’s history of single-term MPs may be broken. He stated that his achievements over the past four years speak volumes and will secure victory for both him and his party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama.
NPP’s Akosua Manu, a first-time candidate, is relatively unknown in the constituency. She is placing her hopes on the performance of her party’s government over the past eight years to win the seat.
Nationwide Special Voting
A total of over 114,000 voters, excluding 17,000 from the Western and Eastern regions, were expected to cast their ballots across 276 constituencies during the special voting exercise.
The identified challenges highlight areas that need immediate attention to ensure a smooth and credible main election on December 7.
