MP for Tatale-Sanguli calls on EC to review and demarcate electoral areas

Mr. Ntebe Ayo William, Member of Parliament for Tatale-Sanguli Constituency, has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to take urgent steps as part of reform processes to review and update the demarcation of electoral areas and constituencies to reflect population changes, settlement patterns, and emerging communities.

The commission, he said, should also increase the number of polling stations and voting centers, especially in densely populated areas, to reduce congestion and enhance the efficiency of voting.

“Though the current threshold of voters for a polling station is a little over 700, it would be better managed if it could be further brought down to 400 per polling station”, he stressed.

“The current demarcation of electoral boundaries often fails to reflect the true socio-political and demographic realities on the ground, which many communities feel are misrepresented or completely neglected because boundary lines are drawn without sufficient consultation and review. This leads to disputes not just during elections, but in the broader context of governance and development”, he said.

The Member of Parliament made the call in a statement during proceedings on the floor of Parliament in Accra.

The statement was to draw the attention of Parliament, stakeholders, and policymakers to the rate at which the current state of the population in the electoral areas is affecting democracy as well as for consideration and review.

The poor demarcation of electoral boundaries and the persistent issues of overcrowded polling stations across the country continue to undermine the integrity of Ghana’s democratic process, particularly.

He added that the poor demarcation of electoral boundaries and overcrowded polling stations are mostly the root cause of election disputes in Ghana.

He said, the right to vote is a cornerstone of democracy, but the conditions under which Ghanaians exercise this right are becoming increasingly problematic.

“In several constituencies, including my own, Tatale-Sanguli, the demarcation of electoral areas has not kept pace with population growth and migration patterns. As a result, we now see polling stations with voter populations far beyond the Electoral Commission’s prescribed limits, creating logistical bottlenecks, long queues, delays, and in some cases, voter disenfranchisement, he explained.

“This overcrowding is not just a matter of inconvenience but breeds suspicion, frustration, and sometimes chaos, which are precursors to electoral disputes. When citizens are forced to wait hours under the sun, only to be told voting has ended, or materials are inadequate, tensions rise”, he said.

When results from overburdened polling stations are delayed or questioned, mistrust festers. This situation becomes a fertile ground for allegations of rigging, voter suppression, and general mistrust in the electoral process, he added.

We cannot allow poor planning and outdated boundaries to jeopardize the peace and credibility of our elections, and therefore, electoral reforms must not only focus on technology and transparency but also on the practical realities facing voters at the grassroots, he said.

He advised the commission to endeavour to engage in broader stakeholder consultation with community leaders, civil society, and political parties before finalizing any demarcation changes. The commission should also strengthen voter education and awareness to ensure all citizens are aware of where and how to vote well ahead of time, he said.

Ensuring fair representation and smooth electoral processes is not a privilege but a democratic necessity, and we must scale up the modalities to accommodate all citizens, no matter their location within the country, he said.