Third phase of biometric voter registration ends on April 24

The final and fourth phase of the biometric voter registration exercise nationwide, for Election 2012 would begin on Thursdsay, April 26, when the third phase ends on Tuesday, April 24 at 1700 hours at the various polling stations across the country.

When Ghana News Agency visited some registration centres at Ayawaso East Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, the registration machines for the exercise were all in good working condition and officials were busily working without any difficulty.

However, the long queues that characterised the exercise during the first and second phases were absent as few people were spotted waiting patiently to be registered.

Mr Yakubu Bukari, Registration Officer at Vonat Bakery Polling Station, said the centre registered 610 as at 1000 hours, adding that the exercise was smooth devoid of any violence.

Mr Samuel Ahorlu, Registration Officer at Frankies Annex One, said the centre had so far registered 712 applicants, no incidents were recorded and both the National Democratic Congress and the New Patriotic Party agents were cooperative.

Ms Fulera Ibrahim, Registration Officer at Frankies Down, said turn-out at the beginning of the third phase was encouraging but the number reduced two days to the end.

Ms Ibrahim said the polling station registered 626 applicants, and the exercise had moved on smoothly with the registration materials in good working order.

Some of the prospective applicants waiting to be registered told the GNA that they were quite satisfied with the manner the exercise was going on as they spent less time in the queue than happened during the first phase.

The exercise involved the use of biometric technology to capture the bio data and other details of the voter to prevent multiple registrations, multiple voting and other malpractices.**