In order to run an efficient general election come 2016, the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has effected a number of changes to the electoral system and compiled them into a 329-page document entitled; �Electoral Laws�.
The EC draws its powers from Article 51 of the Constitution, which states that; �The Electoral Commission shall, by constitutional instrument, make regulations for the effective performance of its functions under the Constitution or any other law�.
Some of the changes effected in the electoral laws, as contained in the 329-page document include; the use of transparent ballot boxes instead of opaque ones and introduction of photo ID cards for all voters nationwide to replace thumbprint ID cards.
Other changes were introduction of photographs of voters in the register itself to facilitate voter identification and allowing party agents to be present at registration centers during the registration of voters.
The rest are; allowing party representatives to be present at the printing houses during the printing of ballot papers, introduction of Biometric Voter�s Registration (BVR) and introduction of Biometric Voter Verification.
Launching the document, Dr. Afari Gyan-chairman of the EC said there is no perfect electoral system, so making improvements to the system is always an ongoing agenda.
�Changes to electoral laws and practices are always made through a process of building consensus among a broad variety of stakeholders through dialogue and consultation. This is necessary to boost confidence in the electoral process and enhance its integrity�, he said.
The EC boss continued that currently, Ghana�s electoral laws consist of articles in the constitution, statutes, decrees and constitutional as well as constitutional and legislative instruments.
This publication, according to him, is offered to Ghanaians and other interested persons as a compendium of all existing electoral laws in Ghana, and is intended to serve as a single reference source and a vital knowledge resource.
He noted; �We believe that deepening the peoples understanding of the basics of the electoral system and process is necessary for enhancing the enjoyment of their electoral rights and the performance of their electoral responsibilities�.
Political party representatives present at the launch hail the introduction of the document saying it is going to help make the process smooth.
Mr. Asiedu Nketia, General Secretary of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) said the launch of the document is a welcome idea, saying he was optimistic that it will help players in the political game understand it better.
He called on leadership and supporters of all political party in the country and in fact all Ghanaians to make it a point to get copies of the document and study it, saying it will help enhance the electoral process.
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