The Importance of Special Voting in Ghana’s elections

BY JINSUNG RASHID, A JOURNALIST WITH GBC-RADIO, WA, UPPER WEST REGION

In Ghana, special voting takes place days before the general election. Given the call to duty on the actual voting day, this is to allow electoral officers, political parties, polling agents, security personnel, the media, and other core election and special duty staff the opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of election day. In essence, providing special voting facilities for electoral officers, who on voting day are unable to get access to their polling station in the electoral districts in which they registered to vote, makes an important contribution to increasing accessibility and equity of voting processes in Ghana.

With an increasing demand for work, given the socio-economic dynamics of most families in Ghana today, it is obvious that a reasonable proportion of the electorates may not likely be present at their designated constituencies and polling stations on voting day. The early voting, or call it special voting, can do the trick here. Voters in remote locations, as well as persons with disabilities, equity considerations require that they are granted inalienable rights to exercise their franchise. Arguably, proportions of voter turnout are recognised as an indicator of the legitimacy of elected representatives in parliament and the presidency. There is growing common interest in making voting methods more simplified to meet the needs and lifestyles of Ghanaians. It has been established that the provision of special voting facilities is influenced by philosophical factors, that is, whether or not a community considers voting a personal right or civic duty. There are also practical factors, stemming from examination of the need for particular types of special voting facilities and also financial and cost-effectiveness.

The cost and integrity reasons of certain special voting facilities may require additional qualifications from voters over and above those required for just a normal voter registration. It must be noted, however, that there are cost factors in special voting due to the provision of facilities to increase accessibility. Other costs include the upsurge in communication challenges to deliver voting operation information on the special voting to voters, electoral administrators, and voting station staff. Again, there will be more integrity controls required on special voting methods to avoid voter impersonation and other irregularities.

Forms of special voting include absentee and proxy voting and early voting. With little and sometimes no attention given to special or early voting in a developing country like Ghana, voter turnout in regions, Metropolis, Municipalities and Districts are likely to be impacted.

The argument here is to emphasise more special and early voting during Presidential and parliamentary elections. This will encourage turnout, given that the winning political party has the onus to satisfy the fifty percent plus one rule to ascend the seat of the presidency. It is important to note that special voting eases pressure during election day itself, as some people may not likely want to queue for long hours, to the detriment of their daily livelihoods and duties. 

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