Mahama Speaks Against Proposal To Change Ghana Election Month From December To November

Mahama Speaks Against Proposal To Change Ghana Election Month From December To November

  • The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Mahama, has spoken against a change in the election date
  • The former president said the proposed change of date for the general elections is not feasible because of the preparedness of the Electoral Commission
  • Mahama urged the commission to get its house to ensure a credible election at the end of 2024

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has criticised the proposal for the general elections to be brought backwards to November 2024 from December.

Mahama said the proposed date change for the general elections is not feasible because he did not think the Electoral Commission was prepared enough.

Mahama on change of election date in Ghana
Electoral Commission Chair Jean Mensah and John Mahama. Source: Electoral Commission of Ghana/John Dramani Mahama
Source: Facebook

He expressed his concerns while addressing the Minority caucus in Ho.

The NDC has also voiced its concerns about the change in the election date to November.

Read also

Organised labour suspends nationwide demonstration against 15% VAT on electricity

Mahama also complained that the commission had not prepared the calendar for the 2024 year.

“Over a month into the election year, something as basic as the calendar of activities for the year has not yet been prepared by the Electoral Commission”, he lamented.

The former president urged the Commission to get its house to ensure credible polls.

The commission is also considering designating all election days as national holidays to help boost turnout.

This proposal comes after the Seventh-day Adventist Church petitioned the commission to move the election day from the regular day of December 7 because it falls on Saturday, its day of worship.

It is unclear if the new proposals are linked to the church's petition.

Electoral Commission to stop using indelible ink during elections

Read also

Parliament approves amendments to anti-gay bill, proposes new jail term for allies of LGBTQ community

YEN.com.gh reported that the Electoral Commission said it plans to end the use of indelible ink during elections to check double voting.

The Electoral Commission's chairperson said the move from using indelible ink is because of biometric technology.

The Electoral Commission proposed closing polls during the 2024 election at 3 pm instead of 5 pm.

The commission said it would reduce voting times by creating additional polling centres.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Delali Adogla-Bessa avatar

Delali Adogla-Bessa (Current Affairs Editor) Delali Adogla-Bessa is a Current Affairs Editor with YEN.com.gh. Delali previously worked as a freelance journalist in Ghana and has over seven years of experience in media, primarily with Citi FM, Equal Times, Ubuntu Times. Delali also volunteers with the Ghana Institute of Language Literacy and Bible Translation, where he documents efforts to preserve local languages. He graduated from the University of Ghana in 2014 with a BA in Information Studies. Email: delali.adogla-bessa@yen.com.gh.