First-time voters stranded due to widespread system failure

Widespread system failure due to technical challenges plagued the nationwide Limited Voter’s Registration exercise aimed at capturing first-time voters, leading to delays and leaving prospective registrants disappointed.

These challenges affected numerous centers and required technical teams from the Electoral Commission (EC) to spend hours resolving them.

Electoral Commission (EC) officials encountered difficulties logging onto the Commission’s database to initiate the process at centers.

While the machines booted up correctly, they failed to pick up signals to enable the system to operate.

These system failure were attributed to “some nationwide technical challenges” with the Commission’s registration kits, hindering officials from logging in with their credentials and encountering network problems.

Some centers struggled to capture applicants’ data onto the Electoral Commission (EC) database to print out cards due to network challenges.

In other centers, while manual data capture of eligible voters proceeded smoothly, their biodata could not be entered onto the biometric device due to challenges with it.

Similarly, although officials could successfully access the system and capture photographs of applicants at some centers, the system failure, preventing the recording of applicants’ particulars.

Despite the EC’s promise that ongoing power outages would not disrupt the registration exercise, power outages were reported in some centers, yet the generators were nowhere to be found.

The process, scheduled to begin at 7:00am, commenced around 12 noon in some centers, resulting in long queues at registration centers as scores of registrants, including Senior High School students, thronged the center in large numbers to partake in the exercise.

While there were no physical altercations with officials, many registrants, some of whom claimed they arrived early, expressed dissatisfaction with the situation.

Despite frustrations, the registration centers remained calm, with registrants seen sitting and standing in groups, chatting. However, the situation did not deter potential voters, as they remained determined to register and obtain their voter cards.

Electoral Commission (EC) officials at various registration centers urged potential voters to remain patient and help make the process smooth.

The situation caused many registrants to complain about the stalled process and the nature of the exercise. Turnout at many centers nationwide was relatively high.

The registration exercise is a major step ahead of the 2024 General Election, conducted in accordance with Article 45 of the 1992 Constitution.

The 21-day exercise, ending on May 27, is taking place at the 268 District Offices of the Commission nationwide.

Some individuals who shared their experiences at the center reported arriving early to undergo the process, only to be informed that they had to wait due to non-functional machines.

The EC has responded swiftly to the technical difficulties that marred the start of the Limited Voter Registration exercise. Acknowledging the challenges, which ranged from faulty machines to network issues, the Electoral Commission (EC) assured the public that these issues have been successfully addressed.

In a statement, the EC attributed the delays to technical problems with internet connectivity at various registration centers.

However, the EC stated that by noon, the majority of these technical issues had been resolved, allowing the registration process to proceed smoothly across the country.

Despite the initial setbacks, the Commission emphasized its commitment to monitoring the registration process closely and promptly addressing any further issues that may arise.

Encouraging all eligible applicants to seize the opportunity to register to vote in their respective districts, the Electoral Commission (EC) affirmed its dedication to ensuring a fair and accessible registration process for all citizens.

The Commission aimed to register 622,000 new voters by the end of the operation. Eligible voters can use either the Ghana Card or the Ghana Passport to establish their identity as Ghanaians.

In the absence of the two identification documents, applicants would be required to present two people who are already registered voters to vouch for their citizenship and age.

The EC has served notice that it will collaborate with law enforcement agencies to deal with minors who attempt to register.