Voter registration exhibition points across the Greater Accra Region and other areas of the country have reported low public engagement in the ongoing exercise.
The lack of participation has led to a situation where some Electoral Commission (EC) officers have been observed taking naps while awaiting eligible voters to request updates, challenge entries and other tasks ahead of the upcoming general election.
Some EC officials who spoke to the media on Wednesday, August 21, noted that the trend of minimal engagement was evident from the first day of the exercise.
According to an officer stationed in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, 27 prospective voters were recorded across three polling stations on Tuesday, August 20.
However, the following day, Wednesday, August 21, saw a significant drop in engagement.
“Yesterday [Tuesday, August 20], we recorded a number of 27 for three polling stations. Today [Wednesday, August 21], as of 9:00 am, we’ve recorded just two. I think education should be sent out more, so people can come and register.”
“But I think that the reason why people are not coming in is because of the shortcode that has been given to check your name online. We are also pleading with them that they should come and register.”
The officers have suggested that increased public education efforts might improve turnout and encourage more individuals to participate in the registration process.
The EC launched the voter exhibition on Tuesday, August 20 and is expected to end on August 27, 2024.
According to the Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC) in charge of Corporate Services, Dr. Bossman Asare, the purpose of the voter registration exercise is to assist voters in locating their designated polling stations.
In a press briefing on August 19, the EC added that this activity will streamline the voting process on December 7, making it easier and less stressful for individuals to cast their ballots.
“The commission is again entreating all registered voters especially those who registered in the 2024 limited registration exercise at the district offices of the commission and selected electoral areas as well as during the mop-up exercise, to visit the exhibition centres to ascertain whether they were assigned to the correct polling stations or not,” he said.
An Electoral Commission (EC) officer is killing boredom with sleep at an exhibition centre at Redemption Valley School, at Tema Community Nine, due to low turnout on day two of the voter register exhibition exercise.#GhanaNewsAgency #GNA
— Ghana News Agency (@GHANANEWSAGENCY) August 21, 2024
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