Voters without face masks to be turned away from polling centers in Ghana
A supporter waves a flag as she walks past campaign posters of candidate of New Partriotic Party (NPP) Nana Akufo-Addo during the final day of campaigning at James Town in Accra, on December 5, 2020.
What you need to know:
- The decision was taken to control the spread of Covid-19, since many people will gather in the over 38,000 polling stations across the country.
- Senior lecturer Abdul Basit Aziz Bamba observed the country has laws that make the wearing of a face mask in public places compulsory.
Accra,
The Electoral Commission (EC) in Ghana has said it will turn away eligible voters who go to polling centres to exercise their franchise without wearing face masks Monday's general election.
Director of Electoral Services for the EC, Serebour Quaicoe, explained the decision was taken by the electoral management body to control the spread of Covid-19, since many people will gather in the over 38,000 polling stations across the country.
He explained the commission had put in place measures to ensure all safety protocols are strictly abided by to prevent the spread of the virus.
"It is compulsory for all eligible voters who go to the polling centers Monday to have their face masks on. Those without them will be asked to go and put them on before they are allowed to vote," Quaicoe told local media.
The EC official urged all stakeholders to play their various roles well to ensure incident-free polls.
Senior lecturer at the School of Law at University of Ghana, Abdul Basit Aziz Bamba, observed the country has laws that make the wearing of a face mask in public places compulsory.
"There is a law on wearing face masks, which makes it unlawful to go to the public space without them. Covid-19 is a major health issue so we must all adhere to safety protocols," he said.
Ghana will hold the general election with Covid-19 being a major public health issue here. The country's total cases as of Saturday stood at 52,096 and the recoveries at 50,924.
