An extension of the deadline for the ongoing limited voter registration drive is “not feasible,” according to the Electoral Commission (EC).

Notwithstanding the technical difficulties that arose during the exercise’s first two days, the Commission reported that everything went smoothly and without any problems after that.

New voter registration was opened by the Commission on May 7, 2024, and it is expected to end on May 27, 2024.

Mr. Samuel Tettey, Deputy EC Chair in Charge of Operations, stated during a press conference in Accra on Tuesday that the 21-day duration of the exercise was sufficient.

With one week remaining until the process’s scheduled closure, he claimed that, in contrast to the first week of the registration exercise, when long lines were seen in some registration centers, the numbers had decreased in many of them.

In order to assist candidates who might not be able to visit the district registration centers, Mr. Tettey said the Commission had also sent out mobile teams to difficult-to-reach areas.

“This is good enough to cover all difficult areas that the Commission earmarked,” he said.

“We don’t actually think that at this time it is even feasible for anyone to call for an extension,” Mr Tettey added.

As of Sunday, May 19, 2024, the 13th day of the exercise, data released by the EC shows that 522,025 new voters had registered, of which 446,416 (85.52) are first-time voters between the ages of 18 and 21.

Out of the total figure, 246,455, representing 47.21 per cent of the registered voters are males and 275,570, representing 52.79 per cent are females.

By the time the registration period ended, the EC aimed to have registered 623,000 voters overall.

According to Mr. Tettey, 813 people with disabilities have been registered nationwide.

“The total number of challenged cases across the country stands at 7,821,” he added.