The Electoral Commission of Ghana has underscored that the primary identification mechanism for voters for the upcoming District Level Elections will be the robust biometric system. The Upper East Regional Director of the EC, William Obeng Adarkwah says, the commission has built a robust biometric system in replace of the traditional way of identification using the voters’ ID.
“We are doing biometric registration, so, the important thing is to have your name and important things on the register. Apart from that, at this level, nobody is going to insist on your Ghana card, passport, or whatever. Even if your voter card is missing, once the system can identify you, you are good to go, you will be permitted to vote. When it comes to voting, we don’t tie electorates so much to identification. The main identification is going to be the biometric system”
Mr. Adarkwah who was speaking on A1 radio during a debate for assemblymen aspirants from the Pologo/Boosiya electoral in the Bolgatanga East District said the identification processes will include facial and fingerprint.
The debate which is organised by the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will also engage aspirants from Kalbeo, Tindonsobligo, and Kotokoli-Zongo electoral areas in the Bolgatanga Municipality.
The debate seeks to encourage healthy issues-based debates among candidates vying for district-level elections, promote engagement between district-level candidates with marginalised groups on service delivery issues, and stimulate the interest of marginalised group members to participate in the District Level Election processes.
The EC has set aside December 19th for the election. The Upper East regional EC Director, William Obeng Adarkwah announced the roadmap to the election saying the Commission is ready to conduct the election.
“The Electoral Commission, as you may be aware, is well prepared to conduct this election. Just last week, we were through with nominations. In terms of materials, the Commission is almost through with the provision of everything reaching the region”, he added.
Other activities related to the election included the recruitment of temporary staff and the mounting of platforms for the aspirants between December 1 and 14.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga|Ghana
