Election Date of December 7 Will be Rescheduled, But Not This Year - EC

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The Electoral Commission (EC) has indicated that the proposed shift of Ghana's general election date from December 7 to November may not be enforced this year. Deputy EC Chairman overseeing Corporate Services, Dr. Eric Asare Bossman, disclosed that the requisite legislation for this amendment is poised to be presented before Parliament imminently.

Related To This: Parliament To Decide On SDA's Petition to Reschedule December 7 Election From Saturday

Background of the Proposal

In January, the EC tabled the suggestion to move the election date and designate the polling days as national holidays during the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) meeting conducted on Monday, January 22, 2024. The proposal aimed to enhance citizen participation and bolster democratic engagement across the nation.

Amidst Opposition and Clarifications

Despite the EC's advocacy for an earlier election month and the national holiday concept, criticisms emerged, notably from parties like the National Democratic Congress (NDC), opposing the idea. The dissent centered on the divergence from the agreed-upon consensus that major electoral reforms should commence from November 2028.

Related To This: Elections to be Scheduled for November as EC Proceeds With Constitutional Procedures

Clarification on Implementation Timeline

Dr. Asare Bossman elucidated the circumstances during an appearance on JoyNews, elucidating that the envisaged alteration is not anticipated in the upcoming polls. He emphasized the agreed-upon resolution that if the November transition could not be realized by 2020, it would be targeted for the 2028 elections to align with the collective decision of IPAC.

Details of the Proposed Change

Addressing misconceptions, the Deputy EC Chairman clarified that the new election date in November will not be specifically November 7, as widely speculated. The focus is on selecting a specific day within the month, providing flexibility for potential polling dates, which could range from the first to the fourth Monday or other weekdays — a decision reached during the IPAC consultation, aiming to ensure electoral reforms align with stakeholders' interests and strategic electoral planning.


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