The Electoral Commission (EC) has expressed concern over the low turnout of eligible voters for the ongoing voter register exhibition exercise. The exercise, which began on Friday, November 4, 2023, is expected to end tomorrow, November 7, 2023.
According to exhibition officers who spoke to the Daily Graphic, the exercise has witnessed low patronage so far. They have called on the EC to collaborate with other state agencies such as the National Commission for Civic Education and the Information Services Department to intensify public education on the exercise. The officers believe that this measure will help to whip up public interest in the ongoing exercise.
Importance of the Voter Register Exhibition Exercise
The voter register exhibition exercise is an important part of the national democratic process. It provides eligible voters with the opportunity to check their names and particulars in the voter register to ensure that they are properly registered to vote. The low patronage of the exercise is a cause for concern as it could lead to disenfranchisement of eligible voters.
At various polling stations visited by the Daily Graphic, exhibition officers expressed disappointment at the low turnout of eligible voters. At the Kaneshie 1&4 Cluster of Schools, for instance, only 16 out of the 1,500 registered voters in the 11 polling stations had checked their names in the voters register as of 3:05 p.m. The exhibition officer, Eyiram Kpodo, attributed the low patronage to lack of awareness and called for more publicity on the exercise.
Similar sentiments were expressed by exhibition officers at other polling stations visited by the Daily Graphic. At the Letemen's Bakery 1 polling station, for instance, only 10 out of 418 eligible voters had checked their names in the voters register as of 1:32 p.m. The exhibition officer, Peter Kumordzi, however, expressed optimism that more people would participate in the exercise in the subsequent days before it ends.
Assurance from the EC
The EC has assured the public that all necessary materials have been provided for the exercise and that officers are working diligently at all polling stations. The electoral officer at the Okaikoi District office of the EC, David Chinery, said he was yet to receive any negative report from all the 197 polling stations in the Okaikoi South Constituency. He added that at the district office, officers were working on the replacement of lost voter ID cards.
Summary
it is important for eligible voters to take advantage of the ongoing voter register exhibition exercise to check their particulars and ensure that they are properly registered to vote. The EC should collaborate with other state agencies to intensify public education on the exercise to encourage more people to participate. The exercise ends tomorrow, November 7, 2023.
(This article is sourced from GraphicOnline and curated by Monica Kritel | Mydailyreports24)
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