The Electoral Commission’s (EC’s) piloting exercise to test the upgraded biometric voter register (BVR) devices was rocked with confusion in Kumasi, the Ashanti Regional capital.
Even though the patronage was impressive, most of the people seemed not to understand what the EC really wanted to achieve with the exercise.
In the region, the exercise took place at the Old Palace at Asokore Mampong in the Asawase and the Ejisu constituencies.
Most of the people that patronized the exercise were either first-time voters or people who had lost their ID cards and wanted new ones to replace them.
The confusion started when these people, after going through the process, demanded the voter ID cards that were manufactured in their names.
The EC officials had to explain to them that the ID cards that were produced on the day could not guarantee them voting rights during the November polls.
They spent most of the time to explain the exercise to the people, who seemed not satisfied that the exercise was to test the ECs upgraded machines ahead of the general election.
The EC officials then assured the people that they would get the chance to register during the limited registration period in April this year.
Most of the people that Daily Guide spoke to blamed the EC for not giving proper education about the exercise.
Deputy Ashanti Regional EC Director, Lawrence Sarpong, refused to admit that it was the EC which caused the confusion at the centres.
He insisted that the Commission properly embarked on education about the exercise at the two areas which were selected for the in the region.
Mr. Sarpong said he was surprised that after the thorough education some people demanded their ID cards after going through the process.
He expressed delight about the patronage of the exercise, stressing that at least 50 people were expected at every centre to test the quality of the machines.
Meanwhile, most of the political parties, especially the smaller ones, refused to send their officials to monitor the exercise.
Reports however, indicated that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the largest opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), patronized it.
Source: Daily Guide
