Returning Officers for Upper East Region sworn into office

Bolgatanga, Nov. 5, GNA - Thirteen Returning Officers and 26 Deputy Returning Officers from 13 Constituencies in Upper East Region were sworn into office after a day's orientation at the Electoral Commission (EC) in Bolgatanga on Wednesday.

Mr William Boampong, Bolgatanga Circuit Court Judge, who administered the oath of office and secrecy, urged them to acquaint themselves well with the contents and strictly abide by them. "In the event that anyone appears before me for breaching any of the oaths, the law would be applied, "he said. Mr Charles Addei, Director of Training at EC Headquarters, educated the officers on the Constituency Results Summary Sheet and other rudimentary processes at the polling station. These included conditions under which a ballot paper could be rejected, and audible declaration of results of each election at the polling station.

He said even though the thumbprint was the prescribed way of marking the ballot, any fingerprint or mark was acceptable provided it clearly indicated the intention of the voter and was placed anywhere within the horizontal column of a particular candidate. "However, a ballot paper should not be counted if it is marked for more than a candidate, or has no mark on it at all, or does not bear the official ballot validation stamp of the polling station," Mr Addei said. He said a trainer-of-trainers course would be organised for them on November 26 to enable them train Presiding Officers and Polling Assistants in their constituencies.

Mr Adam Iddrisu, Upper East Regional Electoral Officer, said by their appointment, Chairman of the Commission had given them the authority to conduct the Presidential and Parliamentary elections in their constituencies on December 7. "You must be neutral and approachable in the discharge of your duties, and desist from any acts that would constitute a betrayal of the trust the Commission has placed in you," he said. Mr Iddrisu said most of the essential materials needed for the elections had arrived in the Region, and were being dispatched to the districts. They include voting screens, banners, posters, indelible ink and thumb-print pads. 05 Nov. 08