-BY Grace Zigah
The Electoral Commission has officially confirmed that thousands of temporary officials who served during the 2024 General Election have not yet received their allowances due to delays in the release of funds from the Ministry of Finance.
This was disclosed in an internal memorandum signed by the Deputy Chairman in charge of Corporate Services and addressed to all Returning Officers and temporary staff across the country.
The memo, dated May 26, 2025, and copied to key officials including the EC Chairperson and Deputy Chairman for Operations, seeks to clarify the cause of the payment backlog that has triggered growing concern among affected personnel.
“The Commission wishes to bring to the attention of all Temporary Officials engaged in the 2024 General Election that payments have not been made because the Commission is yet to receive the funds from the Ministry of Finance,” the statement said.
It added that while the Ministry has assured the Commission of its intent to release the funds “soon,” no specific date has been communicated, leaving many workers uncertain about when they will be paid for services rendered nearly six months ago.
The temporary staff—comprising presiding officers, polling assistants, verification officers, and other auxiliary workers—played a vital role in conducting what the Electoral Commission has described as one of the most logistically demanding elections in recent history.
Many of them have been relying on repeated follow-ups at district offices and through internal channels in hopes of receiving clarity.
This is not the first time the EC has faced backlash over delays in payment to election-day staff.
In the aftermath of both the 2020 and 2016 elections, similar complaints surfaced, prompting public debate about the Commission’s preparedness and its financial coordination with the central government.
Despite the delay, the Commission in the memo took the opportunity to commend the temporary officials for their dedication and professionalism, which it credited as key to the peaceful and successful outcome of the 2024 polls.
“We apologize again for the delay and take this opportunity to express our gratitude for your commitment,” the statement read.
However, patience is wearing thin for many of the affected workers, some of whom depend heavily on the allowances as compensation for time taken off their regular livelihoods.
Civil society groups have also begun raising red flags, urging the Ministry of Finance to prioritize the release of election-related funds to protect trust in Ghana’s electoral processes.
