Voter registration: Some EC centres narrowly miss target on Day One

Some registration centres of the Electoral Commission could not meet their target on the first day of registration.

The new voter registration exercise commenced on Tuesday, June 30, across the 16 regions of the country.

The EC’s expectation was the issuance of cards to an average of 100 eligible applicants per day.

However, a visit to some centres in the Greater Accra Region showed fewer registrations.

The Odorkor Central, Church of Pentecost registration centre, completed 82 registrations by close of day at 5 pm.

Registration Officer for the centre, Prosper Nartey, explained that a late start at 7:15 am impacted the number of registrations they completed.

The late start was attributed to the set up, testing of equipment and gadgets and ensuring that persons adhered to COVID-19 protocols.

Mr Nartey, however, assured that they “can make up” for the shortage.

At the Kwashieman 1 Basic School, Registration Officer Godfred Tabiri said they were able to register 90 people.

The registration started more than an hour late and the persons had challenges with presenting the two guarantors to complete the processes within a short time due to the absence of passports and Ghana Cards.

Mr Tabiri was of the view that the two guarantors each presented an extra workload.

“Guarantors are too many. You have to fill two forms, so it delays a little,” he said.

In view of that, the centre has created a unique desk to help people with challenges related to their guarantors.

At the Nyamekye Pentecost One registration centre, 86 people were registered and issued with cards on the first day.

Registration Officer Silas Nettey told theghanareport.com that some misunderstandings brought temporary pauses.

“There was a commotion, and we had to wait,” he lamented.

He hopes to register at least 110 to make up for the previous day.

At the Victory Preparatory School in Achimota, the story was no different, 79 people had registered by close of day on Tuesday.

The Registration Officer, Abdul Kadiri Alhassan, said the process was sometimes slow because of the need to fill guarantor forms for applicants who have no passports or Ghana Card.