New voters' register still has minors and foreigners on it - EC Boss admits

- Over 16 million people registered for the just-ended voters' registration exercise

- The EC chairperson, Jean Mensa, opined that the new register includes names of minors and foreigners

- Ghanaians will go to the polls on December 7, 2020

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The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana completed the compilation of new voters' register on Sunday, August 9, 2020.

The EC, at a press conference in Accra, said 16.9 million people registered but also admitted that the new register has some minors and foreigners on it.

According to the chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, the Commission will clean up the new register before the December 7, 2020 polls.

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Speaking at the conference, Jane Mensa said:

"We are aware that a number of minors have found their way on to the register and we are confident that the challenge process initiated at all districts throughout the country will help deal with this illegality and rid the register of those who do not deserve to be there,"

Mensa further assured Ghanaians at a forum in Accra on Wednesday, August 12 that her outfit will make sure only Ghanaians and illegible persons get to vote in December.

Meanwhile, some Ghanaians have expressed worry about the fact that the EC is admitting foreigners and minors are on the new register.

The decision to compile a new register was opposed by the National Democratic Congress (NDC), various civil society organisations, and other stakeholders.

The registration exercise was also characterised by some violence here and there as supporters of the two main political parties - NPP and NDC - clashed at registration centres. A Member of Parliament and minister in the NPP government, Hawa Koomson, fired a gun at a centre in Kasoa.

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It is also instructive to note that the Electoral Commission earlier patted itself on the back for the successful completion of the voters’ registration exercise.

YEN.com.gh earlier reported that for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to win the next general election it must win more than 30 percent of the votes in the Ashanti region.

According to the respected pollster, the Ashanti region remains a huge battleground for the opposition party to conquer.

In an interview monitored by YEN.com.gh on Starr FM in Accra on Wednesday, August 12, Ben Ephson opined that if the NDC is able to get over 30 percent of the votes in the Ashanti region it would have gone a long way in winning the 2020 election.

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Source: YEN.com.gh