EC explains why voter ID card replacement costs GHC5

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana, Mrs Charlotte Osei has explained why Ghanaians who wished to replace their lost voters identification cards have to pay an amount of GHC5.00.

She said the printing materials and lamination of the cards is costly, thus the need to charge for the replacement of the card.

Speaking at the launch of the Commission’s new five-year strategic plan in Accra, Mrs Osei said one would not be disenfranchised without the voter ID.

“There is a 5.00 Ghana fee because, the paper, the laminate, they all cost money and it doesn’t disenfranchise you if you don’t have your card because you can vote without your card”.

“All that you need in Ghana to vote is your finger so… once you have your fingers and you show up, we scan you on the register, your details come up and you can vote”, Mrs Osei said during question time of the event.

She explained that the card comes in to help with the ID number of the voter, the polling centre number and also avoid long queueing at the various polling centres.

Mrs Charlotte Osei said the limited voters’ registration exercise which is scheduled to start from Thursday, April 28 and end on Sunday, May 8, would give Ghanaians who attained 18 years the chance to exercise their franchise in the 2016 General Elections.