Use polling agents who understand electoral processes – EC

Nana Oduro Numapau, Tema Metropolitan Electoral Officer has asked candidates in the upcoming District Assembly Elections to engage polling agents who have an in-depth understanding of the country’s electoral processes.

This, he said, would avert many infractions that occur as a result of ignorance.

The Electoral Officer was addressing a sensitization workshop for all potential candidates, including aspiring Assembly and Unit Committee Members contesting the forthcoming District Assembly Elections in Tema.

The workshop, which focused mainly on the Elections and the Referendum slated for December 17, sought to train the aspirants on the rules and regulations governing the exercise.

Mr Numapau, indicated that in strengthening the country’s electoral process, there was an urgent need for all aspirants to engage the services of polling agents who had sufficient knowledge on electoral processes.

He said his outfit recognized the vital role polling agents played in the conduct of elections in the country and further called on those who would be engaged by the candidates to collaborate with election officials to ensure the successful conduct of the exercise.

To better promote community engagement with electorates, he noted that the Electoral Commission would in the coming weeks mount common campaign platforms across Tema to give opportunities for electorates to further engage with candidates on their campaign messages.

“Platform monitors are being trained to monitor and supervise the exercise in all electoral areas,” he said, admonishing the aspirants to be measured in their messages and responses during such engagements as focused on the developmental issues in the area.

According to the EC official, his outfit had already received ballot papers in readiness of the exercise and had had series of engagements with the security agencies for smooth conduct of the elections across Tema.

Mr Isaac Kwame Antwi, Tema Metropolitan Director, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), who addressed the candidates on the commission’s mandate, called on them to help educate electorates on the upcoming election and referendum with the enhanced knowledge they had garnered.