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Smooth voting process at polling stations in Abuakwa North and South Constituencies
Voting in the two Constituencies started at about 7am in most of the polling stations where the Spectatoronline.com visited.
In all about 1,634,166 eligible voters were expected to cast their votes in the 33 constituencies of the Eastern region.
The Eastern Regional Deputy Electoral Commissioner, Mr Asirifi Young Guggisberg revealed that region had 3,943 polling stations.
When the spectatoronline.com visited some of the centres, many people had turned out in their numbers to vote whilst the electoral commission had put in place all necessary measures for the elections.
Adequate COVID-19 protocols such as placing of veronica buckets at vantage points, provision of hand sanitizers and thermometer guns were also put in place to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
At the Oman /state JHS polling station in the Abuakwa South Constituency, 682 people were expected to cast their ballot.
The presiding officer, Mr Isaac Agyeman Isaac said 17 people out of the 682 had voted as at 7:30am.
At the Magistrate Court polling station in the Abuakwa South Constituency, the Presiding Officer, Mr Douglas Adjei revealed that 567 were expected to vote.
As at 8:10am when this reporter visited the place, about 68 persons had voted.He said no challenges had been encountered.
At Tafo in the Abuakwa North Constituency of the Eastern region, Mr Morrisson Amoah, the Presiding officer at the Birth and Deaths polling station said process started at 7am with 706 voters expected to vote, out this numbers about 319 had voted as at 1:53pm
The station reported one manual verification and no challenges faced.
The electoral process was smooth at the Seed Garden polling station at Tafo in the Abuakwa South Constituency.
The Presiding Officer, Francis Cudjoe said 399 voters were expected to vote with 243 already voted as at 2pm when this reporter visited the place.
From Ama Tekyiwaa Ampadu Agyeman, Kyebi
News
Gomoa West: NPP, NDC supporters clash over commissioning of DRIP equipment
Supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Monday morning clashed over the commissioning of machinery for the District Road Infrastructure Project in the Gomoa West District of the Central Region.
According to Citi News sources, the conflict began when NDC supporters questioned the decision to display images of Bismark Basie Nkum, the NPP’s Gomoa West parliamentary candidate on the DRIP machinery.
This disagreement quickly escalated, almost leading to a physical altercation between the two groups.
Baisie Nkum, who doubles as the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Gomoa West, further claimed that the Member of Parliament for the area, Richard Gyan Mensah, brandished a pistol and issued threats against the NPP’s local leadership.
A viral video circulating on social media captured the DCE accusing MP Richard Gyan Mensah of pulling out a gun and threatening NPP supporters during the heated incident.
Source: Citinewsroom.com
News
Why should you resist calls for forensic audit? – Alan quizzes EC
Founder of Moment for Change, Alan Kyerematen, has advised the Electoral Commission (EC) to address concerns identified by political parties ahead of the December elections.
According to him, the commission has the mandate to conduct free and fair elections and must ensure that all stakeholders trust the system. If concerns are raised about the process, he said the EC should work to clear any doubts in the minds of the people.
His comments were in response to whether the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) request for a forensic audit of the register.
Mr. Kyerematen stated that the NDC, being a major stakeholder, has pointed out certain discrepancies. Therefore, the EC has the responsibility to prove that it is committed to running a free and fair election.
Speaking on JoyNews’ News Desk on September 16, he said “For the sake of ensuring the integrity of the elections, to respond to the specific cases that have been identified about irregularities in the voters’ register.
“It only goes to enhance the credibility of the commission. Yes. It [ forensic audit] has to be. I am not sure why there should be a resistance to that. Because, yes the Electoral Commission has indicated that they have responded to those comments.
“But we have to put all reasonable doubt. There is a need to have a credible voters register. So if there is an indication that there is still doubt associated with the electoral register, then let us allow an extensive comprehensive audit, which can be done without any difficulty,” he said.
The presidential aspirants said this would help improve perception about the credibility of the EC.
Mr Kyerematen said although the EC has an incredible track record in Africa, there is a need to ensure that their reputation remains intact.
Additionally, he said the election management body has the responsibility to prove that the electoral register is clean and has no basis for complaints.
“It is only through an audit that this could happen.” he said.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
