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A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, headed by the Honourable Minister, Daniel Botwe, engaged in a substantive discussion with the Electoral Commission (EC) concerning the forthcoming 2023 District Level Elections (DLE).
The delegation, comprising Mr. Botwe and other officials, convened with the Electoral Commissioner, Madam Jean Adukwei Mensah, and her Deputies, Messrs Samuel Tettey and Eric Asare Bossman.
During the meeting, Hon. Daniel Botwe articulated the Ministry's purpose, emphasizing the need to assess the EC's preparedness for conducting the electoral process. Specifically, the Ministry sought insights into the measures taken by the EC to generate voter interest and foster widespread participation, particularly among marginalized demographics.
In preceding efforts, the Ministry had previously engaged with the National Executives of the Ghana Journalists Association and select senior editors from prominent media outlets, seeking their endorsement and collaboration in support of the electoral process.
The Minister underscored the historically commendable voter turnout in rural areas, attributing it to the proactive engagement of aspiring Assembly Members in campaign activities. However, he noted a desire to achieve a target of at least 50% voter attendance and implored the EC to escalate its public awareness campaign, especially in urban localities.
Chairperson Madam Jean Adukwei Mensah assured the Ministry that the Commission was fully prepared for the scheduled polls on December 19. She highlighted the ongoing deployment of voting materials to various regions, emphasizing the Commission's commitment to a seamless electoral process.
Addressing security concerns, Madam Mensah conveyed that the EC was collaboratively working with security agencies to ensure the safety and smooth functioning of the voting process.
Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy Electoral Commissioner in charge of Operations, disclosed the adoption of a strategic approach to ensure accessibility to hard-to-reach areas, mitigating any logistical challenges.
The collaborative efforts between the Ministry and the Electoral Commission reflect a concerted commitment to fostering a transparent and inclusive electoral process for the upcoming District Level Elections.