The European Union has set aside seven million euros to support Ghana's 2012 elections and help in capacity building and education.

The amount will go to three constitutional bodies – namely the Electoral Commission (EC), National Commission and Civic Education and the National Media Commission.

In the past, Ghana has received support for its electoral processes through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and EU's Electoral Observer Missions (EUEOMs) which were deplored during the country's 2008 elections.

Observer missions made several recommendation including a review of voter register, extensive and permanent voter civic education, revision of  the media regulatory framework and establish clear monitoring mechanism and further strengthening of the EC's capacity.

Part of the amount is expected to go into the education on a biometric voter registration exercise, which will help to eventually develop a biometric voter register to be used for the polls.

Speaking during a visit to Ghana's Upper West Region, the head of the EU delegation Ambassador Claude Maerten hailed the West African country's commitment to democracy.

He said the introduction of the new biometric voter registration system will enable the country to create a more credible voter register ahead of the December 7 polls.

Maerten met EC's regional and district officials to assess preparations the biometric voter registration.

Hajia Saadatu Maida, an EC official noted that the number of polling stations had increased to 23,000 in order to make voting more accessible to people countrywide.

The forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections have been described by many political observers and institutions as crucial to help deepen democracy.