EC fume over low turnout in District Level Elections

Mr Sulley Amadu (Middle)

            

The Deputy Chairman of the Electoral Commission in charge of Operations, Sulley Amadu, has described as regrettable the consistent low voter turnout at the country’s local government elections. 

He said the District level and Unit Committee elections has over the years recorded a low turnout of about 40 percent. 

The highest turnout, he cited, was 59 percent which occurred in 1988 and 89 before the coming into force of the 1992 constitution, stressing that the highest under said constitution was 41 percent in 1998. 

This, he noted, gives cause for concern and urged the media to intensify their advocacy role in addressing the numerous challenges affecting the effectiveness of the district level elections. 

He spoke with Radio Ghana’s Isaac Asare in Bolgatanga.

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Commenting on the electoral laws regulating the conduct of the District Level Elections, Mr Amadu, said, with the amendment of Act 473 and the coming into force of Act 801 in 2010, candidates are now permitted to mount their own campaign platforms. 

Moreover, organisations, that are desirous of supporting platform mounting, are obliged to root their resources through the commission to mount a platform for the common use of all the candidates. 

He gave an insight on the said amendments.

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