The Head of the Electoral Commission’s Training Department, Dr Serebour Quaicoe, has clarified that the GH₵0.50 fee for checking voter registration details online is paid to the service providers, not to the EC.

According to him, none of the fees goes to the Electoral Commission, and this charge has been consistent at 50 pesewas in both the 2016 and 2020 elections.

The Member of Parliament for South Dayi, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has expressed concerns about this fee.

The EC introduced a short code, *71151#, allowing voters to verify their registration details ahead of the 2024 general election. However, Mr Dafeamekpor objects to the cost associated with this service.

Speaking on JoyNews AM show, Dr Quaicoe said that “It is for service charges, and not for the Electoral Commission. If the money were to come to the Electoral Commission, then that is our money for us to account for but is for the service charges. If you use MTN, the money goes to MTN; if you use Telecel, it goes to Telecel.”

He noted that the GH₵0.50 fee for online voter registration checks is not part of the Electoral Commission’s budget, explaining that including it would mean the funds would go directly to the EC.

Dr Quaicoe said that the EC’s role is to ensure that voters can verify their names at polling stations, while the service provider is responsible for offering online verification for those who cannot visit a polling station.

“So, if you cannot go, then you are using the service provider’s facilities to check, and that is the charge you pay for using their services.”

Source: Isaac Kafui Nyanyovor