Majority Leader in Parliament tours biometric Registration Centres

Mr Avoka taking his photograph for the biometric ID

Registration Official, Mariam taking Mr Avoka thru the process

Section of applicants in the cue

16-04-2012     

The Majority Leader in Parliament, Cletus Apul Avoka has toured some biometric registration centres in the Zebilla Central Constituency to interact with registration officials to ascertain the progress of the ongoing exercise as it enters its third phase. Areas visited by Mr Avoka who also doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area include the Zebilla SHS centre and the NCCE office centre both at Zebilla, the district capital of Bawku West of the Upper East Region. Other areas visited include Teshie market square, and Kperigu primary school under Teshie electoral area and Soogo electoral area respectively. Mr. Avoka aftermath the tour expressed total satisfaction about the level of turn out exhibited by applicants, describing it as encouraging. He said though the turnout was encouraging, there was still room for improvement with respect to public education. According to him, many people are still feeling reluctant to come out to register for one reason or the other forgetting that it is their constitutional and fundamental obligation to owe a voting card not only for the purpose of voting but for other equally important business transactions, particularly, financial transactions with the banks. Moreover,  if an  area wants to be considered for the creation of another constituency or a district, massive registration by electorates will complement the work of the EC in determining whether that particular area is qualified to be granted a district or not. Mr. Avoka therefore called on the NCCE and officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) to step up effort at educating the masses on the need for the exercise. The political parties, he also indicated have a role to play in bring on board electorates to register massively with the EC.  He promised to partner the EC to find lasting solution to the faulty registration equipments and advised his constituents to take advantage of the biometric registration exercise in order not to be disenfranchised.  He was however not happy about the efficiency of the registration equipments which, he noted, could be attributed to the hot climatic condition among other factors and said it was not too late to address the challenge. Most of the registration officers Radio Ghana spoke to commended the various political party agents for their comportment since the beginning of the exercise. At Teshie Market Square,  registration officer in charge of special duties, Issifu Illiasu confirmed that the political party agents have been supportive since the exercise began and  have complement the effort of the registration officials in identifying minors and unqualified individuals from registering. This he noted was worthy of emulation and further appealed to the electorates to cooperate with the registration officers to ensure a successful exercise.  According to Mr. Illiasu turn out since the exercise began has been smooth and successful devoid of any interference. The only problem, he identified was a duplication recorded at his centre which he said has since been rectified.  To him, the exercise is poised to record high turnout despite the few hitches recorded in some registration centres nationwide.

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