It is over eight hours now since the first voter cast his ballot at the tightly-competitive 2016 Ghana Presidential and Parliamentary elections. Despite a few irregularities ranging from non-appearance of names on the voter register, speculated postponement of polls at Jaman North constituency, etc., the process has been impressively smooth across the nation.
Speaking at a media briefing in Accra an hour ago, EC Director of Elections, Samuel Tettey said the Commission is in constant touch with its officials across the country to have every issue addressed. He further mentioned that the EC "have had reports from all the ten regions and in some, voting started a little after 7:00 a.m. due to the absence of security officers and EC officials" and that "in areas without security men, we got in touch with police administration and new officers have been sent to the areas". In addressing the issue of deleted names from voter register, Mr. Tettey emphasized that voters who registered with the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) card will be unable to vote since their names have been deleted from the electoral roll following Supreme Court ruling in a case challenging the credibility of the register. Names of a number of voters in Bekwai have been reported missing in the register, but the Commissioner said he was informed most of them used NHIS card to get onto the Voter's register. In his own words, "Once your name is not in the register you cannot exercise your franchise".
Furthermore, all presidential candidates in the race from the incumbent President and flag bearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Mahama who voted earlier today at his Bole constituency in the Nothren region to the leader of the leading opposition party, the New Patriotic Party, Nana-Akufo Addo have expressed their commitment to accept the outcome of the elections and let "Ghana Win". However, whatever that outcome may be, there is no doubt that Ghana has once again given Africa a shinning example: one of a free, peaceful and transparent elections.
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