Accra, Ghana – Monday, June 10, 2024.
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, fellow students, and all Ghanaians,
Good morning and thank you for joining us today. I stand before you as the President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), representing the voices and interests of students across our great nation. Today, we gather to address a matter of profound importance to our democratic process and the rights of students: the establishment of Vote Transfer Centers in tertiary institutions.
Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel,
President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and other Executives
A few days ago, NUGS petitioned the Electoral Commission of Ghana, urging them to consider our 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. Allow me to elaborate on the critical points we presented in our petition.
Our 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.
- Examination Schedules: Students often find themselves unable to engage in voter registration due to conflicting examination dates and academic commitments.
- 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.
Thank you for your attention and support. Together, let us work towards a more inclusive and participatory
democratic process for all Ghanaians
Aluta Continua! Victorial Ascerta!
Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel
President of the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS)
