The Seventh-Day Adventist Church has submitted a proposal to amend the date of the general elections scheduled for December 7, 2024. The church, in a petition to the Electoral Commission and the Attorney General, has cited a conflict with their holy day of worship, which falls on a Saturday.
In their proposal, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church is advocating for the adoption of either the first (1st) or second (2nd) Tuesday of November as the new date for Ghana's general elections. The church emphasizes the need for this amendment to ensure that Adventists have the freedom to observe their Sabbath without any hindrance.
The leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church held discussions with the Electoral Commission on June 7, 2023, where they formally presented their proposal for a change from the December 7 date to the 1st or 2nd Tuesday of November in a general elections' year.
James Kwabena Bomfeh, Deputy Head of Religious Liberty at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, provided justification for the proposed amendment in an interview with Citi News. He highlighted that the new election date would allow sufficient time for the transition process and enable traditional worshippers to participate fully in the elections, as they typically refrain from their regular activities on Tuesdays.
Bomfeh also emphasized that the proposed date change would facilitate a smooth exchange of files and processes between outgoing and incoming regimes, ensuring an efficient transition period.
The Seventh-Day Adventist Church's proposal seeks to address the religious considerations of its members while also aiming to promote broader participation in the electoral process. The church's engagement with the Electoral Commission reflects its commitment to upholding religious freedom and ensuring that its members can actively participate in civic duties without compromising their faith.
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