Coronavirus: How the Electoral Commission plans to curb spread during voter registration

The Electoral Commission of Ghana says it will institute measures to ensure that the compilation of the new voters' register goes ahead in the face of the threat from the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

A release issued by the EC on Tuesday, denied media reports that the compilation of the new voters' register has been cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Ghana, adding that a new date for the registration will be announced.

The EC says it will institute concrete measures including providing sanitizers at all polling stations and "providing a conducive atmosphere at all registration centres so as to protect its stakeholders from the virus...".

"The Electoral Commission has noted with concern, information in sections of the media to the effect that the compilation of the New Voters' Register has been cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the country," the EC said in a press release signed by its Acting Director, Public Affairs, Mrs Sylvia Annoh.

"The Commission wishes to state that the compilation of the New Voters Register has not been cancelled. Plans are far advanced for the successful take-off of the registration process.

"In view of the ban imposed on public gatherings by His Excellency President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, a new date for the registration will be announced in due course".

The EC's release comes days after President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced a four-week ban on all gatherings.

Related: Ghana has recorded seven confirmed cases of COVID-19

Measures

The EC plans to provide sanitizers at all registration centres as part of measures to curb the spread of the virus which has claimed the lives of thousands across the globe.

"The Commission wishes to assure the general public that it is taking the necessary steps to guarantee the safety of the citizenry and safeguard them from the virus. In this regard, the Electoral Commission will put in place concrete measures including providing sanitizers at all polling stations and providing a conducive atmosphere at all registration centres so as to protect its stakeholders from the virus among others," the release said.

"The public is entreated to prepare for the upcoming Voters' Registration exercise".

Background

The government of Ghana suspended all public gatherings in the country following the outbreak of Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) in Ghana as of Saturday, March 14, 2020.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo made this known in a televised national address Sunday night [March 15, 2020].

He said the new directives follows an earlier meeting of Inter-Ministerial Committee on Coronavirus response which he chaired and it deliberated on the issues.

"I have decided, in the interest of public safety and protection of our population, to review the public gathering advisories earlier announced."

He said among the gatherings suspended are church services, weddings, funerals, other social gatherings.

Read the entire release below;