The ongoing voter register exhibition exercise has experienced low turnout, prompting officers to call on the Electoral Commission (EC) to collaborate with other state agencies to enhance public education on the importance of the exercise. The officers emphasized the need for agencies such as the National Commission for Civic Education and the Information Services Department to join forces with the EC to raise public awareness about this crucial component of the national democratic process.
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According to the officers, increased collaboration and public education would help generate greater public interest in the exhibition exercise, which is set to conclude on November 7, 2023. Although the exercise started smoothly and all necessary materials were provided, the officers expressed their disappointment with the lack of public participation.
During a visit by the Daily Graphic to several polling stations in Accra, low patronage was evident. At the Kaneshie 1&4 Cluster of Schools, only 16 out of the 1,500 registered voters had checked their names in the voter register by 3:05 p.m. The exhibition officer, Eyiram Kpodo, emphasized the need for increased publicity as many people seemed unaware of the exercise. She expressed frustration at sitting idle for most of the day due to the lack of public engagement.
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Similarly, at the Letemen's Bakery 1 polling station, only 10 out of 418 eligible voters had checked their names in the voter register by 1:32 p.m. The officer, Peter Kumordzi, anticipated higher participation in the coming days before the exercise concludes.
At the St. Joseph's Primary School 1&2, no one had checked their details as of 1:42 p.m. The exhibition officers, Munirat Adaku and Whitney Agyen Frempong echoed the call for increased publicity to encourage more people to check their particulars before the exercise comes to an end.
At the Adabraka Day Care Centre polling station, only two out of 402 eligible voters had verified their particulars by 1:50 p.m. The exhibition officer, Mavis Laryea, remained hopeful that more people would participate in the exhibition in the following days.
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According to David Chinery, the electoral officer at the Okaikoi District office of the EC, there have been no negative reports from the 197 polling stations in the Okaikoi South Constituency. Chinery explained that at the district office, officers were primarily focused on replacing lost voter ID cards.
The low patronage observed during the voter register exhibition exercise necessitates urgent action to intensify public education and awareness. Collaborative efforts between the EC and relevant state agencies can ensure widespread knowledge of the exercise's importance and encourage more citizens to participate. By doing so, the democratic process can be strengthened, and voters can ensure the accuracy of their registration details in preparation for future elections.
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SOURCE:
-GRAPHIC ONLINE- "Low patronage: Officers Call For More Publicity On Voter Register Exhibition"
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