Ghana's two major political parties, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), are expressing reservations about the Electoral Commission (EC)'s proposal to close the 2024 elections at 3pm.

The EC, led by Chairperson Jean Mensa, has defended the decision to shift the voting closure time from 5:00 pm to 3:00 pm during the upcoming general elections.

Mensa emphasized that the adjustment is aimed at facilitating transparent and orderly collation of votes by electoral officers in broad daylight. Despite this explanation, Richard Ahiagbah, the NPP's Communications Director, has urged the EC to ensure that the proposed change does not disenfranchise eligible voters.

In an interview with Citi FM on Thursday, December 14, he stated that the party would only accept the proposal if the Commission assured them that voters would be given the comfort they deserve and that none would be turned away.

“We receive that with some cautious optimism, to the extent that the EC can provide us with the necessary comfort that electorates would not be found wanting on the day of the election. But assuming that they provide that comfort for us, it is ideal for us to be able to close the polls early so that collation and things that need to be done to prepare results are done in daylight before dark.”

“So I think that is the import of that proposal that we first need to be sure that it will not result in people being turned away,” he stated.

Mustapha Gbande, the Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), cautioned on Citi FM that the party would resist any attempts by the Electoral Commission (EC) to manipulate the election in favor of a particular political party. He stressed that it is premature for the party to make any comments on the EC's position at this stage.

“For us, we welcome a response that will give Ghanaians a feeling that there’s a credible, transparent general election at the end of the day. We have resolved as a party that we are going into 2024 with full force, we are going to an election to win. Rigging that election is a great impossibility and will be resisted with all force, so it behoves on the EC to assure all political parties of a transparent election.”

He added, “That will be a big relief for this country. It’s early days yet, we will see as the conversation unfolds what our technical directors will advise the party to do, what the NPP will come up with, and what other parties will come up with.”