Politics of Sunday, 25 March 2012

Source: GNA

Okai-Koi North records low turn-out as voter registration begins

Biometric Registration Exercise began in Okai-Koi North Constituency with a rather low turn-out at some centers.

A visit by the GNA to some selected centers at Abeka-Lapaz revealed that most people went about their normal duties as the registration exercise was on-going.

When GNA got to Wuoyeman Centre at Abeka-Lapaz, there were just a few people in a queue waiting patiently for their turn to register.

Mr Abrahim Nii Okai, Electoral Commission Officer, at the Centre, said the exercise had so far been smooth with no issues, adding that the materials were ready on time at the centre and that the turn-out was not a problem since it was the first day of the registration exercise.

The atmosphere was also peaceful at Christ Believer’s Ministry Centre with just half a dozen of people waiting to take part in the exercise.

Mr Lawrence Appiah, Officer at the Centre, told the GNA that the turn-out was quite massive at the early hours of the opening of the registration, saying, “Everything has been peaceful, the only problem was the Illumination machine which broke down but I have called the office and they promised to resolve it as soon as possible” he said.

Mrs Hannah Obeng at the Police Post Centre said the Electoral Commission did not provide logistics like canopy, tables and chairs for the exercise which slowed down the process.

She stated that, it was some residents who provided a canopy and tables and therefore wanted a preferential treatment which nearly caused confusion.

Some party agents from the National Democratic Congress(NDC) and the New Patriotic Party(NPP) at the various centres expressed satisfaction at the exercise and said that they had closely monitored the process but found no cause for worry.**