NUGS Advocates for on — Campus voter transfer centres to empower student voters
National Union Of Students (NUGS) which represents the voices and interests of students across the country has called for the need to establish voter transfer centers in the university campuses to empower students register, and transfer their votes without encountering any challenges.
Addressing the press today at the NUGS Secretariat in Accra, Mr. Kyeremeh Oppong Daniel, President of the National Union of Ghana Students ( NUGS) made it clear that, a few days ago, NUGS petitioned the Electoral Commission of Ghana, urging them to consider their request to set up voter registration centers on university campuses.
This petition is a call for action to ensure that the rights of students to participate in the democratic process are not hindered by logistical and financial challenges.
Elaborating on the critical points they presented in their petition, he indicated that their request stems from a genuine concern for the thousands of students who, while pursuing their educational goals , may find themselves unable to vote in their designated constituencies.
This situation is due to the simple fact that many students study far from their hometowns and places of residence. It is imperative that these students, who are contributing to the development of out nation through their education, are not neglected in a major decision -making exercise that shapes the future of Ghana.
As part of our oversight function, NUGS has identified several key difficulties faced by students regarding voter registration.
1, Distance to Regis Centers: Many educational institutions are located far from the designated voter registration centers, This makes it difficult for students to travel and register.
2. Financial Constraints: The cost of traveling to these centers can be prohibitive for many students, who already have financial pressures related to their education.
3, Examination Schedules: Students often find themselves unable engage in voter registration due to conflicting examination dates and academic commitments.
4, Systemic Pressure: The current voter registration system places undue pressure on students, who must balance their educational demands with the need to register to vote.
Our petition is firmly rooted in the legal and constitutional framework of Ghana.We draw attention to Section 12(1) of the Electoral Commission Act, which mandates the Commission to make regulations for the registration of voters, including provisions for voting by proxy and the issue of identity cards.
NUGS is committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of students, We believe that every student should have the opportunity to exercise their constitutional right to vote without undue hardship. This initiative is crucial to ensuring that students are not disenfranchised and can contribute to the decision – making process that will shape the future of our nation.
In conclusion , we call on the Electoral Commission of Ghana o exercise its powers to the fullest and take the necessary steps to establish voter registration centers in the tertiary institutions, We believe that this proactive measure.will greatly benefit our students.
Story by Bugbila Moadow
