National Union Of Ghana Students (NUGS) which represents the voices and interests of students across Ghana has called for the need to establish voter transfer centers in the university campuses to empower students register, and transfer their votes with ease.
Speaking at a press conference today,Mr Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel
,President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) made it clear that, a few days ago, NUGS petitioned the Electoral Commission of Ghana, urging them to consider their request to
set up voter registration centers on university campuses.
This petition is a call for action to ensure that the rights of students to participate in the democratic process are not hindered by logistical and financial challenges.
Elaborating on the critical points they presented in their petition, he indicated that their request stems from a genuine concern for the thousands of students who, while pursuing their educational
goals, may find themselves unable to vote in their designated constituencies.
This situation is due to the simple
fact that many students study far from their hometowns and places of residence. It is imperative that these
students, who are contributing to the development of our nation through their education, are not neglected in a
major decision-making exercise that shapes the future of Ghana.
As part of our oversight function, NUGS has identified several key difficulties faced by students regarding voter
registration:
1. Distance to Registration Centers: Many educational institutions are located far from the designated voter
registration centers. This makes it difficult for students to travel and register.
Financial Constraints: The cost of traveling to these centers can be prohibitive for many students, who
already face financial pressures related to their education.
3. Examination Schedules: Students often find themselves unable to engage in voter registration due to
conflicting examination dates and academic commitments.
4. Systemic Pressure: The current voter registration system places undue pressure on students, who must
balance their educational demands with the need to register to vote.
Our petition is firmly rooted in the legal and constitutional framework of Ghana. We draw attention to Section
12 (1) of the Electoral Commission Act, which mandates the Commission to make regulations for the
registration of voters, including provisions for voting by proxy and the issue of identity cards.
Furthermore, Article 42 of the 1992 Constitution guarantees every citizen of Ghana, aged eighteen and above,
the right to vote. Article 45 and Article 46 of the Constitution empower the Electoral Commission to make
regulations for the transfer of votes, ensuring that no citizen is disenfranchised.
“In light of these challenges and legal provisions, we earnestly appeal to the Electoral Commission to establish
voter registration centers on university campuses. This action will protect the guaranteed right to vote for
students and ensure their active participation in the democratic process.
By setting up these centers, the Electoral Commission will not only ease the logistical and financial burdens on
students but also uphold the principles of inclusivity and fairness that underpin our democracy.
NUGS is committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of students. We believe that every student should
have the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote without undue hardship. This initiative is
crucial to ensuring that students are not disenfranchised and can contribute to the decision-making process that
will shape the future of our nation.
In closing, we call on the Electoral Commission to exercise its powers to the fullest and take the necessary steps
to establish voter registration centers in tertiary institutions. We believe that this proactive measure will greatly
benefit our students and, by extension, our entire nation.”It indicated.
