Breakdown of cameras and printers affecting voter registration

Agona Swedru, June 13, GNA - The frequent malfunction of cameras and photo printers in 11 electoral centres in the Central region is preventing a number of young people from being registered as eligible voters in national elections.

The areas include Agona Swedru, Agona Nyakrom, Nkum and Ahamadonko. A visit to the centres on Saturday and Sunday by the Ghana News Agency revealed that most of the people have had their names written but could not get their identification cards because of faulty cameras and printers. Mr Frank Abban, Assemblyman for Nyakrom, told the GNA that the situation was seriously hampering the progress of the 10-day exercise aimed at registering those who have turned 18 or above and are unregistered. The exercise started on June 11.

According to him, all the four centres at Nyakrom were provided with one camera but it broke down within a few hours as a result of the high work load. Ms Abba Acheampong and Ms Adjoa Frempong, who went to register at the centre at the palace of the chief of Agona Nyakrom, told the GNA that the difficulties and frustrations they went through could discourage others from taking part in the exercise and asked the Electoral Commission (EC) to normalize things at the centres. At the Agona Swedru Circuit Court Registration Centre, Hajia Ramatu and Efuah Serwaah, both 18 years, expressed their disappointment about the time they wasted before their names were registered after which they could not get their cards.

Mr M.A. Peniana and Ms Alice Agyapong, the registration Officers at the Agona Swedru Mahodwe's Chief's palace and Circuit Centre, respectively, told the GNA that the constant break down of the equipment had created difficulties for them to work as expected, adding that, many people were, however, responding to the exercise.

At the time of filing the story on the Sunday, the faulty cameras and photo printers had not been replaced.

When Mr Kwame Amoah, the Agona West Municipal Electoral Director of the Electoral Commission, was contacted in a telephone interview with the Ghana News Agency, he confirmed that some of the cameras and photo printers being used for the exercise in the district were faulty. He gave the assurance the he was going to the Cape Coast Regional Office of Electoral Commission (EC) to collect new ones. 13 June 10