Upper East records appreciable turnout in nationwide pilot biometric registration exercise

 

Specimen of the Biometric Registration Card belonging to the MCE for Bolgatanga Central , Philip Aboore

Mr Oscar Baah, Municipal EC Officer

Today's nationwide pilot biometric registration exercise in the Upper East Region was quite smooth and peaceful.

 EC officials at the designated registration centers were up to task and were able to address some petty issues relating to the registration. 

In the early hours of the day, the region recorded some rain showers making the weather favourable and pleasant. 

Also at the initial stages of the exercise, people did not express much interest in the exercise. Perhaps the apathy stems from the fact that it was a market day and most people were at the markets to transact business or may be the publicity was not that encouraging since the selection of the piloted areas was done few days ago. 

Sixty applicants successfully underwent the exercise in the Bolgatanga Central Constituency. 

The exercise which took place at the Zamse Senior High and Technical School, ZAMSTEC, earlier recorded a low turnout but the number improved over time registering 20 women out of the said figure. 

Speaking to Radio Ghana at the end of the exercise, the Municipal Electoral Officer, Oscar Baah, said though he was impressed with the turn out as well as the level of collaboration from the applicants, he would have wished the weather was a bit warm to ascertain whether the upgraded kits could stand the harsh prevailing weather condition often experienced in the region. 

He also dispelled some media reports that went to suggest that members of the opposition NPP boycotted the exercise. 

According to him, there is no iota of truth in such reports. 

He cited an unfortunate incident where two applicants made away with their registration forms without the consent of the EC officials. 

 The mishap, he explained, was addressed when the victims were later identified and made to return the forms. 

Meanwhile, the exercise went on smoothly at the Saligba JHS in the Bongo District. One significant thing about the center was that a number of some visually impaired persons were present to take part in the exercise. 

At the end of the exercise, 61 people had successfully  registered. 

The District Electoral Officer disclosed to Radio Ghana that the process encountered some slight challenges in relation to the fingerprint scanner used in capturing the fingers of the applicants.

 Few voters, he explained delayed the process due to the inability of the machine to capture their fingers.

GBC NEWS                                             END                                       IA/