Peaceful elections in Savelugu/Nanton

Savelugu (N/R), Dec. 16, GNA - District Assembly elections opened at all polling stations in the Savelugu/Nanton District on a peaceful note though voter turn-out was initially low.

The polling stations had their full complement of electoral materials but there was a delay in voting in the Unit Committee polls at some of the stations because as at the time of going to press, they had not received the ballot papers.

When the GNA contacted the District Electoral Officer, Mr Nuhu Mahama on the issue, he explained that 49 of the candidates who submitted their nomination papers for the Unit Committee elections did not attach their photographs on their documents.

He said when the Electoral Commission in Accra received the documents and discovered the anomaly it requested the District Assembly to have the photographs of those candidates taken for onward submission to Accra.

He said at the time the District Assembly was ready to take the pictures, the candidates had either travelled or had become apathetic towards the exercise.

The District Electoral Officer attributed the apathy to the fact that unit committee work "is purely sacrificial without any financial gains." He could however not give any indication as to how the problem would be resolved.

Some 48,181 registered voters are expected to cast their votes to elect Assembly Members from the 36 electoral areas in the district.