Voter registration: EC introduces chits for queue management

The Electoral Commission (EC) has introduced an innovative queue management system to reduce the overwhelming number of registrants who throng registration centres to register for voter identification cards.

In the new system, officials of the commission issue a limited number of chits to registrants who are required to turn up at registration centres each day to be registered.

The Director of Electoral Services at the EC, Dr Serebour Quarcoo, who made this known to the Daily Graphic yesterday, said the initiative would cut down the numbers at registration centres and help to improve on the social distancing protocols.

“The registration officials will generate numbers for the registrants each day based on their capacity. They have done registration for the past two days so they know the number of people they are capable of registering every day,” he said.

He added that in the new arrangement, persons without the chit would not be allowed into the registration centre.

Further action

Dr Serebour added that apart from the chit system, the Commission had also strengthened the “nose mask, no registration” protocol.

He said the commission had spoken to the Ghana Police Service to tighten the knot on enforcement of the social distancing protocols.

Statement

The EC had earlier issued a statement indicating that it was working with the security agencies to enforce social distancing and other safety protocols.

The statement, which was signed by the Director of Public Affairs at the commission, Mrs Sylvia Annoh, said everything was being done to guarantee the safety of registrants.

 “We continue to engage with the police and other security agencies to find workable solutions to maintain law and order and the social distancing protocols at the various centres nationwide. We trust that the security agencies will continue to assist to ensure adherence to the laid down safety protocols,” it said.

Enthusiasm

It said the commission was pleased with the enthusiasm that characterised the registration exercise on the first two days of the exercise.

The statement said the massive turnout for the registration was indicative of the growing interest citizens had in the electoral process.

“The commission is of the view that the large number of citizens at the registration centre is an indication of a vibrant democracy,” it added.

Enforcement

It, however, said the disregard for social distancing and safety protocols by registrants was worrying and needed concerted efforts from all stakeholders to deal with.

“We wish to state that the commission has procured and distributed adequate supplies to its registration centres to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus,” it said.

It said the commission had supplied paint to all its registration centres and instructed its officials to mark the floor by providing a one-metre distance between each applicant.

“We count on the general public to assist the commission to work to maintain law and order at all the registration centres,” the statement added. - #GhanaVotes2020#