Low turn out in revision exercise in Sunyani

Sunyani(B/A), May 09, GNA - There is low turn out in the Sunyani Municipality for the ongoing revision of the voters' register exercise being experienced nationwide.

When the Ghana News Agency visited some registration centres in Sunyani on Monday, the scene was a slow, boring spectacle, lacking any sense of urgency.

Officials at the centres were just sitting down idle and chatting, without any activity, some kept themselves busy by fiddling with their mobile phones, either receiving or making calls. Mr Sakyi Nsowah, Registration officer at Akokora Kwadwo electoral area centre attributed the situation to lack of adequate education of the public about the exercise.

He said five polling stations had been lumped under the electoral area at Nyama Basic School premises, saying "because people have not been well informed about this change, they go to other known registration centres only to be directed to this place."

Mr Nsowah said because the registration centres were far away from the homes of most of the eligible voters, they felt reluctant to walk that far, which he said was also a factor for the low turn out. He said 60 people mostly those who had attained 18 years had so far registered since the registration begun last Friday.

At the Akuoko electoral area centre, Mr Anthony Frimpong, Registration officer, expressed the same sentiments of low patronage. He blamed the Electoral Commission (EC) for the low publicity given to the exercise, adding, some people had even mistaken it for the registration for the National Health Insurance Scheme.

Mr Frimpong said 95 people mostly those who had attained 18 years registered, adding, some others who were above 20 years became annoyed and walked away when the officials asked them to explain why they did not register during the last nationwide exercise for the 2004 elections. Mr Sylvester Ofori-Mensah, Registration officer at Ahenboboano electoral area centre, comprising four polling stations, said 77 people had so far registered and even they did so because they needed the voter identity cards and not for voting purposes.

He also attributed the low patronage to lack of education and interest in the exercise by some people.

Mr Ofori-Tawiah, Sunyani Municipal Electoral Officer said not all the registration centres were opened, and explained that it had been limited to certain areas and education was still ongoing to get people to register.

He said all the centres had been published and the registration officers given enough training to handle the exercise, adding; "We are monitoring the exercise and would address problems as they come." 09 May 06