Thugs had attacked a biometric voters' registration centre at Kaase in the Asokwa Constituency in Ashanti, temporarily holding up the exercise.

The gang allegedly arrived at the centre in a pick-up and on motorbikes and pulled guns and drew machetes.

They beat up and inflicted deep machete wounds on the New Patriotic Party registration agent, whose name was given only as Kasum. The victim was rushed to the Kumasi South Hospital .

Superintendent E.A Akonnor, Asokwa District Police Commander, confirmed the incident to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Kumasi.

He said the incident occurred at about 1330 hours on Thursday and gave the assurance that investigation into the case was ongoing.

Meanwhile, registration of applicants had resumed after police officers were deployed to the centre.

Registration officials at Kaase New Chief’s Palace had refused to work until they were assured of adequate security.

Mr Eric Opoku, a registration officer, told the GNA that the attack was the second since the start of the exercise, and called for permanent police protection.**