Despite what has been widely described as fear mongering by the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), the turnout for voter registration yesterday was very impressive.
The Chronicle gathered from across the country that many Ghanaians came out in their numbers to register, amidst Covid-19 safety protocols, except reported breaches of social distancing at some areas.
Prior to the commencement of the exercise yesterday, which will last till August 6, 2020 the NDC had cried wolf over the deployment of military to the Volta region, saying their presence would scare residents from coming out to vote.
Tension began to rise until government, through the Defence Minister and the President himself, countered with words of assurance, which deflated the tension by encouraging people, particularly in the Volta region, to go and register without fear.
The NDC had held a press conference to express their misgivings and gave government a 24-hour ultimatum to withdraw the soldiers, but government called their bluff, insisting the military had been deployed to be at the borders only.
However, it appears Ghanaians listened to the call to disregard any threat of intimidation to go and register.
Loud mouth Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who was vocal in the party’s last Monday presser, took a tour of his constituency yesterday and reported the overwhelming turnout.
Not keeping the joy to himself, Mr Ablakwa took time off his busy schedule to hail the turnout on his twitter handle.
He posted: “Impressive turnout in North Tongu from as early as 5am. Admirable determination. Let’s collectively defend our democracy.”
Call him Father Christmas, as Mr Ablakwa also posted that: “There shall be special prizes for the most COVID-19 safety protocols compliant polling stations in North Tongu.”
At Ketu South Constituency for instance, reports indicated that EC officials at the Akuse Park registration centre in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta region struggled to control scores of residents who turned up at the centre for registration.
The development vindicates government’s stance that the military was in the Volta and other regions for a separate mission. Aside from the soldiers being at the various borders, deployment to the Volta region was the lowest.
Meanwhile, the EC, during a news conference on the eve to the commencement of the nationwide registration, indicated that the exercise will be held at about 6,788 clusters made up of five registration centres each.
The chairperson, Jean Mensah, who addressed the press, explained that a total of 33,367 registration centres will be situated within the country.
She further noted that the exercise is expected to be conducted in phases, each spanning six days.
Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission says about 7,000 health assistants have been released by the Ghana Health Service to help ensure that the necessary Covid-19 safety protocols are adhered to at the various clusters.
The post After all the paah paah NDC admits: Voter Turnout Impressive appeared first on The Chronicle Online.
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