In part two of our series on the vital things to know about Ghana’s forthcoming elections, here is how to, and who can challenge the eligibility of a potential voter seeking to enroll on the voters’ register.
But first, remember that the limited Voter Registration exercise begins on Thursday April 28, 2016. However;
• The Exercise is open only to those who could not, and did not, register in the last open registration.
• It is not an avenue for already registered voters to replace lost voter ID Cards, or to transfer your vote from one constituency to another. The Commission will announce different processes, guidelines and timelines for that.
[contextly_sidebar id=”oTIdOzxdV0aytQpGOoXs7ADHVWkVaSPs”]Challenging the eligibility of a prospective voter…
1. The eligibility of a prospective voter to register can be challenged on any one of the following grounds;
• That the prospective voter is not Ghanaian under the laws of Ghana; or
• That the prospective voter is less than 18 years of age; or
• That the prospective voter is not an ordinary resident in the polling station in which he/she seeks to register
2. The eligibility of a prospective voter can only be challenged during the limited registration process. It cannot be challenged during voting.
3. The category of persons who can challenge the eligibility of a voter has been broadened. Under the law, the registration officer, can on his/her own, also challenge the registration.
4. To challenge a prospective voter’s registration, the person challenging the registration must fill a “Complaint Form” at the point of registration.
5. The Registration Officer is mandated to forward the Challenge Form to the District Registration Review Committee (DRRC) for determination.
• The District Registration Review Committee (DRRC) is composed of;
*Representatives of active registered political parties in the District
*The District Police Commander of his representative
*The District Director of Education or his Representative
*The Traditional Ruler in the District
6. The prospective voter whose registration is being challenged has a right of appeal where the DRRC determines against him.
7. Where a prospective voter’s registration is challenged, the fact of the challenge will not stop him/her from completing his/her registration. However, a Voter ID Card will not be issued to him/her until the final determination of the challenge.
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By: Sixtus Dong Ullo /Citifmonline.com /Ghana
Follow @ sixtus_gh