Ghana court fines 14 people Gh₵5,544 for registering more than once

Fourteen people who registered more than once in Takoradi to vote in the December 7 general elections have been fined a total of GH₵5, 544.

Each of the 14, who were found guilty of the electoral offence by the Takoradi Magistrate Court on Wednesday, is required to pay GH₵396 or in default, serve three months in prison. Per the Constitutional Instrument governing public elections in Ghana (C.I.72) registering as a voter more than once constitute an electoral offence for which the offender could be fine up to GH₵6,000 or serve not more than two-year jail term or both.

The 14 people were identified by the Electoral Commission (EC) as having registered more than once using the biometric system.

Western Regional Director of the EC, Stephen Opoku Mensah, told 3News more than the 14 people have so far been identified for engaging in multiple registrations, noting that the rest will soon be put before court for prosecution.

According to the EC, over 75,000 voters have been identified nationwide for engaging in double or multiple registrations. Such persons are being given the chance to defend themselves in court.

The Commission says it has the mandate to deny such persons their right to vote so long as their names remain among the multiple registration lists for a period of five years.