EC to release PVR to political parties on Friday

The Electoral Commission (EC) has responded to concerns raised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over delays in the release of the Provisional Voter Register (PVR) for the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.

Dr. Serebour Quaicoe, the EC’s Director of Training, assured the public and the political parties that the PVR will be released on Friday, August 16, 2024.

This release will allow the parties to review the register before the scheduled Voter Register Exhibition, which begins on August 20, 2024.

Dr. Quaicoe made these remarks during an interview with Accra-based Joy FM on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, in response to the NDC’s call for an immediate release of the PVR.

He emphasized that the EC is committed to fulfilling its obligations under Constitutional Instruments 91 and 126.

The Provisional Voter Register Exhibition, which takes place at all polling stations, is a critical process in ensuring the accuracy of the voter roll.

During this period, voters can verify their details as captured during the registration exercise. They also have the opportunity to request amendments, replace damaged voter identification cards, or request corrections to their registration details.

Additionally, qualified persons can raise objections to the inclusion of unqualified names, such as those of deceased individuals, minors, or non-citizens.

Regulation 23(1) of C.I. 91 mandates the EC to compile and display the provisional voter register within three months of the end of the registration period.

This register includes essential details such as the name, age, sex, residential address, and photograph of each registered voter.

During the exhibition period, the provisional register is placed at the designated Exhibition Centres, usually the polling stations where voters were originally registered.

Voters can make various requests at these centres, including the inclusion of omitted names, objections to the inclusion of deceased voters, replacement of poor-quality voter ID cards, corrections to registration details, and changes to registration centre codes.

All requests made at the Exhibition Centres are documented on certified exhibition forms and in the provisional register.

After the exhibition period, these forms and registers are sent to the District Office of the Commission for further processing.

The District Registration Review Officer (DRRO), typically a lawyer with at least three years of experience, is responsible for reviewing and making determinations on the claims and objections.

The EC is required to implement the DRRO’s decisions within 14 days.

The EC also displays specific lists during the exhibition, including the Exceptions List, which contains names of disqualified voters, and the Multiple Registration List, which identifies individuals who have registered more than once. Certain requests for changes to voter details, particularly those involving biometric data, may require voters to visit the District Office for biometric authentication before the changes can be reflected in the National Voter Register Database.