Limited voter registration: Asutifi North NDC blames EC for low turnout
The Electoral Commission (EC) is to blame for the poor participation in the ongoing Limited Voter Registration operation, according to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ahafo region’s Asutifi North Constituency. According to Razak Mubarak, the NDC’s constituency secretary, the constituency will continue to have poor attendance since many residents of the area who…
The Electoral Commission (EC) is to blame for the poor participation in the ongoing Limited Voter Registration operation, according to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Ahafo region’s Asutifi North Constituency.
According to Razak Mubarak, the NDC’s constituency secretary, the constituency will continue to have poor attendance since many residents of the area who live outside of Kenyasi, where the election is taking place, lack transportation to get to the registration center.
The NDC, he said, is dissatisfied with the EC’s choice to do the exercise just in the district office.
“If you look at the number that has to register and the number that is presently here, it tells you that the turnout is low, transportation is expensive, and by the time they move from their residence to the office, they would’ve spent about GH₵200. Where will an 18-year old get that kind of money?.
“Their parents, who may be cocoa farmers, do not also have enough money because cocoa is not even in season for them to get money to give to their children for the registration,” he explained.
53 persons, according to Razak Mubarak, successfully enrolled on the first day of the exercise.
Patrick Banor, a member of parliament representing Asutifi North, who was there to observe the proceedings, said that the low turnout was discouraging.
He took use of the chance to urge locals, particularly those who were eligible to register, to avoid waiting until the last minute as they frequently do to cause trouble.
“We have just begun the process, but they will not show up, they will wait till it’s almost over, and then they will come in their numbers on the last day, which leads to chaos. I urge every eligible individual who is 18 and above to come and register and not wait to be called to avoid last-minute inconveniences,” he advised.
On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, the restricted voter registration process began.
All 268 EC district offices will participate in the exercise, which is scheduled to finish on Monday, October 2, 2023.
