Politics of Monday, 3 September 2012

Source: GNA

Most citizens within the metropolis not aware of biometric centres

Some residents within Sekondi/Takoradi and its environs are not aware of the various centres in which the biometric verification exercise was being conducted.

The biometric verification exercise being conducted by the Electoral Commission though has entered its third day, is yet to catch up with residents within the metropolis.

A general survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency through the metropolis had revealed that most of the electorate were ignorant about the exercise currently under way.

Some attributed the low patronage either to the lack of publicity on the part of the Commission as well as the old “wait and see” attitude of most Ghanaians.

The few centres this reporter visited also showed a low record of voters who have checked on their particulars.

At the Poly Centre at Newsite, only a few have verified their particulars. There were issues recorded.

Madam Ama Darkwa, a resident at Newsite told the GNA that she had not even heard of the ongoing exercise adding, “I do not even have the time to queue again”.

A waakye seller at Takoradi also added that she was not aware of the exercise and could not even help to trace a centre in which the exercise was being carried.

At Kweikuma, one could see posters indicating an exhibition Centre but with no officials to undertake the exercise.

Madam Florence Opare said she heard about the exercise on Sunday but could not meet any official at the Kweikuma Court Centre when she visited to verify.

Madam Hannah Mills also added that though she had heard about the exercise, there was more time and so she could wait.

Meanwhile, there has been calls on the EC to beef up their education and awareness creation on the exercise to attract the citizenry.