General News of Wednesday, 14 August 2002

Source: AP

Local elections held in some regions after week's dela

ACCRA, Ghana - Local elections were held in some regions of Ghana on Tuesday, after the polls were delayed a week because of a lack of ballot papers and other logistical problems.

Voters in some 32 regions went to the polls to elect members of district assemblies. The original vote took place last Tuesday.

Turnout was very low, with some people blaming the Electoral Commission for not providing enough information about the vote. Officials also blamed voter apathy.

President John Kufuor expressed disappointment at the feeble turnout.

"I must admit that local elections never attract the highest interest like general elections. However, I must say how disappointed I am at the poor turnout today," he said.

Local elections are held every four years in Ghana. Seats in a total of 110 districts were being contested this year.

Voting in the northern region of Yendi, where a state of emergency was imposed following the murder of a traditional chief in March, was postponed indefinitely. Feuding between two clans after the chief's murder left 36 people dead.