The Electoral Commission (EC) in collaboration with the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is in the process of building the capacities of district electoral Officers and district Directors of the (NCCE) on the 2016 polls.
The nationwide workshop sponsored by the European Union (EU) is intended to reduce the excessive number of spoilt ballots recorded after elections.
About 60 participants in the Northern Region attended the two days capacity building workshop held in Tamale.
The EC’s Deputy Chairman in-charge of operations, Amadu Sulley dismissed suggestions that the EC and the NCCE are archrivals, hence the joint workshop.
He said the event sought to cement the sealed relationship between the two state institutions saying, “The EC and the NCCE are close allies.”
He charged the participants to religiously read the new Legislative Instruments (LIs) governing the 2016 polls.
He allayed public anxiety that the EC is unprepared to conduct free, fair and credible elections.
“We as the electoral body will compile a current, reliable and accurate register for the 2016 general elections.”
“The objective of credible elections will be achieved at the end of the polls,” he emphasized.
Amadu Sulley highlighted the essence and objectives of the workshop as well as the legal framework of the upcoming exhibition exercise slated for July 18 to August 7.
According to him, the V.C.R.A.C Crabbe led five member panel which sat on the eligibility of the current voters register recommended that the exhibition exercise duration of two weeks should be extended to three weeks.
He disclosed the expansion of polling centres from 26,000 to 29,000 where the EC intends to test the Biometric Voter Verification Devices on the exhibition day.
He said the maximum number of voters expected to line up at a polling centre on the elections day will not exceed 950 to meet the 5 pm closure deadline.
“The caliber of presiding officers will be reviewed and a final copy of the compiled register will be made available to all contesting political parties 21 days ahead of the polls.” Amadu Sulley assured.
Northern Region NHIS Registrants
Amadu Sulley revealed that the entire Northern Region recorded a total of 301 National Health Insurance (NHIS) Registrants.
“We are going to create a special registration centre during the exhibition exercise to cater for the NHIS card holders whose names are to be deleted in compliance with the Apex Court’s ruling on the petitioners’ case.”
The EC’s Northern Regional Director, Bruce Ayisi commended the participants for their promptness to the workshop.
He called for deeper collaboration between the EC, the NCCE, the media and all relevant stakeholders to ensure credible elections.
Bruce Ayisi reaffirmed the EC’s rapport with the media but stressed objective reportage before, during and after the 2016 polls.
The EC’s Head of Communication, Eric Dzakpasu refreshed the mindset of the participants on the exhibition procedures.
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By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana