The district level elections are set to take place tomorrow, December 19 across the country and the electoral commission has been providing updates and preparations towards the exercise.
According to the EC chairperson Jean Mensah, the elections will kick off bright and early from 07:00 am and end at 05:00 p.m.
She, however, emphasized that people still in queues by close of polls at 05:00 pm would be allowed to cast their votes.
Briefing the media on Monday at the Electoral Commission Headquarters in Accra, she mentioned that all categories of electoral officials have been trained ahead of the national exercise with about 116,701 officials fully equipped for their roles.
Moreover, she assured that all necessary materials have been procured in adequate quantities and dispatched to all the districts and polling stations.
Additionally, 71,775 biometric verification devices have been deployed to the various districts and polling stations.
She added saying “Except for Nkoranza North and Nkoranza South districts. This is because both districts had their elections in 2021 instead of 2019. Hence, the term of office of the assembly and the unit committee of those two districts will expire in 2025.”
Meanwhile, the EC Chairperson raised concerns about voter apathy or low turnout during the district level elections over the years.
She therefore urged all eligible voters to go to their respective polling stations to cast their votes.
Further to this she said, “Registered voters whose voter identity cards are missing can still go to their respective polling stations to cast their votes since their particulars are already in the final register and also their particulars have been incorporated and uploaded in the biometric verification devices.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Dan Botwe says government is optimistic that more voters will turn up this time to cast their vote.
To him, the vigorous campaigning and the determination to be well-informed, to get to the commission early, and to secure endorsement for nominations paint a picture of the strong engagement and participation in the electoral process.
Furthermore, the minister pointed out that nearly 6000 electoral areas have filed for participation across the country, demonstrating a significant level of engagement and activity.
“With some areas having up to six or more individuals filing for nominations, it’s clear that there is a substantial number of people getting involved and campaigning across the country.
Mr. Botwe identified the nonpartisan nature as a major factor contributing to the low turnout over the years.
He therefore called for the district level elections to be made partisan adding that political involvement in elections would whip up citizens’ interest, address issues of low turnouts and increase participation in the local government.
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Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
