No need to extend registration exercise, - Officers

Sekondi, March 29, GNA- Many voters' registration centres in Sekondi-Takoradi were on Monday empty except for the registration officers who were idle and packing up as the exercise draws to a close. There were no prospective voters at any of the 12 centres that the Ghana News Agency (GNA) visited at Takoradi and Sekondi as at about 1300 hours on Monday. Registration officers interviewed said they had almost registered the required number of people in their areas and therefore, were not expecting people to register today. The centres visited included the STC, Well Road and Dankessim centres in Sekondi.

Meanwhile, a survey conducted by the GNA indicates that many people in Sekondi-Takoradi do not want the registration exercise to be extended. Those interviewed said extension of the date would be unnecessary additional expenses on the exercise. Some of the registration officials said they had enough supply of materials throughout the exercise. They said an extension would affect other personal programmes that they had to forgo to ensure the success of the exercise.

Mr. Edward Dadzie, supervisor at the PWD registration centre said 640 people registered at the centre during the period. He said though a few people grumbled when they came to the registration centres to find queues, they were encouraged to register and not to allow the exercise to end without participating in it.

Miss Paulina Baidoo of the Anaji Key primary school said 750 people registered within the period. She said there was no need to extend the period for the exercise since almost all eligible voters in the area had registered during the period. Ms. Baidoo said only four people registered around 1100 hours on Monday, adding that, there are unused materials still in stock.

She however said, four youth aged less than 18 years, who attempted to register, fled the scene when they were challenged. Some of the centres visited included PWD, Central Police Station, Anaji Key Primary School, Effiakuma Number Nine and Tanokrom registration centres.