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The nationwide voter exhibition being organised by the Electoral Commission (EC) commenced yesterday with a smooth operation but experienced a notably slow start across the country.
The exercise, designed to allow registered voters to verify their details, saw a lower-than-expected turnout, attributed to the early stages of the process and a general lack of awareness among the electorate.
The exhibition is a crucial part of the electoral process that allows voters to check and confirm their names, ages, addresses, photographs, and polling stations as recorded during the registration process.
Set to continue until next Tuesday, voters who visit the centres could also request any necessary amendments or updates to their details before the upcoming elections.
PRECIOUS NYARKO BOAKYE reports from the New Covenant School in Tuba, Accra, where the centre had registered 1,567 voters. By 10 a.m., only 10 individuals had visited to verify their details.
Exhibition Officer, Mrs Victoria Ampong, observed that, “Ghanaians are fond of doing last-minute exercises. I believe a few days before the exercise ends, voters would rush to the exhibition centre.”
Despite the slow start, she remains optimistic that turnout will improve as the deadline approaches.
From Koforidua, AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN reports a similar low turnout across several centres. At the Kwaku Octere Centre 1A in the New Juaben South Constituency, only six out of 411 eligible voters had checked their names by 10 a.m.
“The turnout was typical for the first day,” said the Exhibition Officer, Patrick Fosu.
At the Kwaku Octere Centre 1B, only two out of 407 eligible voters had verified their details.
The Exhibition Officer, Helena Osei Poku, also reported no issues but expressed hope that more people would participate later in the day and over the coming days.
At the MCH voter exhibition centres, only two out of 452 and six out of 450 eligible voters had attended, respectively.
The Exhibition Officers, Emmanuel Sarpong and Bernice Osei, confirmed the absence of challenges but noted the low turnout.
FRANCIS DABRE DABANG reports from Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, where the exercise saw minimal engagement.
By midday, only seven registered voters had visited the centres.
An EC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained, “The low turnout was anticipated because voters in the region have a history of failing to visit the centres to verify their names in the register.”
Despite this, the official remained hopeful that participation would increase before the August 27 deadline.
From Cape Coast, DAVID O. YARBOI-TETTEH reports that the voter exhibition exercise saw low turnout on its first day.
At many centres, including the University of Cape Coast Library One and Two, as well as Auditorium One and Two, the number of voters checking their details was minimal.
For instance, by 10:23 a.m., only 2 out of 632 voters had checked their names at University Library Two, and other centres reported similarly low participation.
The Exhibition Officer, Bright Doe, noted that despite the slow start, they hope for increased turnout as the exercise continues.
KINGSLEY E. HOPE reports from Kumasi, that the exercise also faced low turnout.
By noon, centres such as Bantama Methodist JHS recorded only two voters, while the Bantama Methodist Pavilion had five.
At Bantama Methodist Basic, eight voters had checked their names by the same period.
Officials attributed the low turnout to cold weather and drizzle, coupled with the exercise being in its early stages.
At Krapa Old Town, 19 people had checked in by 11:13 a.m. Officials are hopeful for increased participation as the days progress.
RAFIA ABDUL RAZAK reports from Wa in the Upper West Region, where the voter exhibition exercise also experienced a slow start.
At the Kambali Mosque centre, only six people had verified their details by 9:00 a.m.
The Exhibition Officer, Philip Richard said, “The low turnout is likely due to the exercise being in its early stages.”
At the St. Francis Xavier Minor Seminary Centre A, just four qualified voters had checked their names.
The Exhibition Officer, Ms Fuseina Ibrahima, attributed the low turnout to “a lack of awareness about the exercise in the municipality,” with many residents indicating they would participate when their schedules allowed.
DANIEL DZIRASAH reports from Sunyani, where the turnout was also low. At the Estate Experimental Junior High School, only six people had checked their names by 9:26 a.m.
The Exhibition Officer, Dominic Opoku Annor, attributed the situation to “low publicity,” expressing hope that more voters would verify their details as the exercise continued.
At the Methodist Primary School, only two people had visited by 10:00 a.m., and nine people had checked their names at the Methodist Junior High School by 10:40 a.m.
The Exhibition Officer, Richard Gyabaa Yeboah, shared similar sentiments, stating, “We expect the turnout to improve as the days go by.” The presence of uniformed security officers at many centres was noted, ensuring a smooth and secure process.
BY TIMES REPORTERS
