The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has appealed to the Electoral Commission (EC) to set up voter transfer centers on various university campuses. This request aims to accommodate its members, who are registered voters but will be unable to cast their votes in their designated constituencies due to academic commitments, to transfer their votes.
NUGS, the official voice for all Ghanaian students both locally and internationally in a statement on Wednesday, June 5, explained that the request was necessitated by a significant number of its members pursuing studies far from their hometowns. The statement highlighted that many students are currently engaged in mid-semester exams, while final-year students are heavily involved in research for their final projects. The financial strain of commuting between their former voting locations and current campuses, especially considering the country’s economic situation, was also cited as a major concern.
NUGS emphasized the importance of ensuring that these students exercise their constitutional right to vote.
“A person shall be registered as a voter if they are a citizen of Ghana and are of eighteen years or above,” according to Article 43 of the 1992 Constitution.
“We kindly request that the Electoral Commission takes the necessary steps to enable the limited transfer of votes for our members, in accordance with the following constitutional requirements: Article 45 states that “A voter shall vote at the polling station where they are registered,” and Article 46 states that “The Electoral Commission shall make regulations for the transfer of votes.”
“We believe that this will ensure that our members are not disenfranchised and can fully participate in the democratic process come December 2024.”
