Skip to main content

Problems of Voter Registration in Ghana: A Case Study of the 2008 Voter Registration Exercise in Techiman Municipality

1.0 Introduction


According to Article 42 of the Constitution, every citizen of Ghana of 18 years of age and above and of sound mind has the right to vote and is entitled to be registered as a voter for the purposes of public elections and referenda. Aside from these qualifications, other qualifications for registration are resident or ordinarily resident in an electoral area and not prohibited by any law in force from registering as a voter. Prior to the registration process, procurement of registration materials, recruitment of temporary staff and training of staff are conducted.


During the actual registration process, applicant should appear before a Registration Officer (RO) and the RO should administer the questionnaire on the applicant. Registration Applicants (RA) and together with the RO should complete the OMR form and is endorsed by the RA. Picture of applicant is captured by a camera man and the Voter's ID card is issued by the laminator. OMR forms are sent to the headquarters and registers are compiled.


For each registration centers, the registration process is open for public inspection and scrutiny at the center, known as the exhibition period. During this period, voters can ascertain whether particulars on the ID are the same with that of the registers. RAs who were accepted to be on the register but mistakenly have omitted can request for his/her name to be included in the register. Registered voters can object to persons not qualified to be on the register.


2.0 Problem Statement


EC Ghana aims for transparency and credibility of voter registration exercises. In 2008, an 11-day nationwide voter's registration exercises were conducted but there are moved to extend such exercise by NPP and PNC. The exercise is deemed a success generally but it is hampered by several illegalities. These irregularities must be addressed is the government of Ghana means to conduct of a clean campaign and produce credible election results. Specifically, Techiman Municipal District in Brong Ahafo Region has experienced irregularities that contribute to the declining public confidence in the electoral process.


The following research problems will be addressed:


1) What are the irregularities (problems) experienced by RAs in Techiman Municipality?


2) How do the residents of Techiman Municipality perceive the voter registration exercise of 2008?


3) How do they perceive the irregularities experienced?


4) In what specific ways, these irregularities could be avoided?


3.0 Aim and Objectives


The main of aim this study is to understand the problems encountered by the RAs in Techiman Municipality in the 2008 voter registration exercise. In lieu with this, their perceptions as to why these irregularities had occurred will be explored. It would be important to identify the problems encountered by the RAs and what should be done so that these events could be avoided in the future.


4.0 Methodology


The research strategy that the study will utilize is the descriptive method. A descriptive research intends to present facts concerning the nature and status of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study (Creswell, 1994). It is also concerned with relationships and practices that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt, or trends that are developing (Best, 1970). In addition, such approach tries to describe present conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the respondents of the research (Creswell, 1994).


The second method that will be employed is the case study. According to Robson (2002), a case study is a "strategy for doing research which involves an empirical investigation of a particular contemporary phenomenon within its real life context using multiple sources of evidence."


The survey method, also known as the questionnaire method, will be used in gathering the data for this study. A structured questionnaire will be used as the instrument.



5.0 References


Best, J. W. (1970). Research in Education, 2nd Ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, Inc.


Creswell, J.W. (1994). Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.


Kye-Duodu, K. Voter Registration System in Ghana.


Robson, C. (2002). Real world research, 2nd edn, Blackwell, Oxford.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Microfinance Enterprise in the third world economy Research Proposal

            Microfinance has grown from a small program in the 1970s in Bangladesh to a worldwide movement today. Microfinance is basically the small loans that are granted to the third world poor. Such microloans are usually provided through non-profit, humanitarian organizations. These new mechanisms are often referred to as nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) whose focus is on empowering poor families.             The movement to expand financial services for the poor as a grassroots development strategy is a relatively recent phenomenon. Microfinance, which emphasizes granting small loans to the poorest of the poor without requiring collateral, rests upon the notion that the most impoverished people in developing countries typically do not otherwise have access to traditional financial; services, but that they do possess modest survival skills that make them credit-worthy....
Post a Comment
Read more

Sample Research Proposal on IMPROVING VOCABULARY AND COMPREHENSION SKILLS IN ESL STUDENTS THROUGH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

Introduction               This paper proposes a research study that will test and determine the effects of language proficiency, critical thinking, and study skills approach on improving the vocabulary and comprehension skills in English as Second Language (ESL) students. The aim of this paper is to determine and examine the specific advantages and disadvantages of the three approaches mentioned. The purpose of this study is to build new theories in ESL learning and to further contribute on knowledge about ESL learning and teaching.             Statement of the Problem                 Currently in the United States , there is great impetus for ESL programs because of the continuous increase of non-English speaking immigrants in the country since the latter 1990s (Schmidt, 2001; Kuntz, 2003; August, 20...
1 comment
Read more

Sample Research Proposal on The Influence and Impact of Advertising to Consumer Purchase Motive

Introduction   Today's market is characterised by highly competitive organisations which are all vying for consumer's loyalty. Firms are faced with the challenge to maintain their own competitive edge to be able to survive and be successful. Strategies are carefully planned and executed to gain the ultimate goal of all: company growth. However, external factors are not the only elements which influence growth. There are also internal factors, components working within the organisation which shape the direction of the company. Along with the changing business world, customers change as well, becoming more demanding and knowledgeable than before. In turn, company management had shifted their focus on their clients or customers so as to stay successfully in business. This transition meant that organisations have to completely reformulate their conventional business aims and purposes from being process-focused to customer-centred. Hence, in order to bring out exceptional custome...
Post a Comment
Read more