Accra, Oct. 29, GNA - The National Identification Authority (NIA) would start mass registration exercise in the Greater Accra Region in November. The exercise, which would last for two months, would be conducted in four phases. Registration centres would include Electoral Commission polling stations.

Dr William Ahadzie, Executive Secretary of NIA, speaking at a press conference to highlight activities for the exercise, said phase one would cover the Dangme East, Dangme West, Tema, Ashaiman and Adenta. Phase two would include Ga East, Ga West and Ga South while phase three would take care of Okaikwei, Ablekuma and Ashiedu-Keteke.

Phase four, would cover Osu Clottey, Ayawaso, Kpeshie and Ledzokuku-Krowor. Dr Ahadzie said the NIA would later announce the regional deployment schedule and commencement dates for the various phases and urged the communities to support the exercise with the provision of furniture, suitable locations and accommodation for personnel to facilitate the smooth conduct of the exercise.

Similar exercises were organised in the Central, Western and Eastern=

regions last year and in the Volta Region in May/June this year with a to= tal of 79 per cent turnout. The Executive Secretary said the general framework for the exercise was based on the 2000 Population and Housing Census Results and related projections from the 2008/2009 for the allocation of Mobile Registration Workstations (MRWs) and registration centres to districts and sub distric= ts in the regions.

He announced that the newly created Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies have been factored into the exercise. "Furthermore, the National Identification Authority will open about 1,500 registration centres in 11 operational districts in Greater Accra Region. The number of MRWs per district relates to the percentage share o= f the district population in specific region. Also about 1,500 MRWs will be=

deployed to each phase," he said. On eligibility, Dr Ahadzie said an applicant whose registration was=

challenged could be registered except that he or she should complete the required challenge forms for a panel of arbitration chaired by a district=

magistrate, to determine the status of the person challenged before effecting registration. He therefore reminded the public of registration offences prescribe= d under the NIA Act 707(2003) and the National Identification Registration Act 750(2008) which were punishable in the Law Courts. Touching on arrears due registration officers in the pilot exercise= , Dr Ahadzie said the monies were ready and would soon be paid.