The Electoral Commission (EC) says it is fully prepared for Tuesday’s by-election in Akwatia in the Eastern Region.
A total of 52,328 voters across 119 polling stations in 21 electoral areas are expected to cast their ballots.
The Commission has deployed 484 temporary election officers, including returning officers, presiding officers, technicians, verification officers, and ballot issuers.
Speaking to journalists, the Eastern Regional Director of the EC, John Appiah Barfour, assured that all election materials, including ballot papers, registers, and Biometric Verification Devices, have been received, packaged, and will be distributed in time for polls to open at 7 a.m.
“We are ready for tomorrow. All our officers have been trained and we have engaged all political parties. They have pledged their support to ensure a peaceful election,” he said.
The EC further noted that security has been reinforced, with police deploying a mobile prison van to deal with any misconduct on election day.
“Security is superb. Even they have a mobile prison van, so that if somebody comes and misbehaves, the person will be imprisoned. So everything is set.At the moment there’s no challenge and we are not expecting any challenge because we’ve done our homework very well” Said John Appiah Barfour.
Mr. Barfour urged residents of Akwatia to turn out in their numbers, assuring them of safety at the polls.
“Once they are registered voters, it is because of them that we are here.So they should come out in their numbers to vote. They should not be afraid. The security people here are here to protect them.So they should not be afraid. They should come out in their numbers”.
He added ” those coming from outside, it is Akwatia people who are voting. They should not come and create any chaotic scene. But they should respect the rules, the laws governing the elections”
The by-election follows the passing of Member of Parliament, Ernest Yaw Kumi, and will be contested by Solomon Kwame Asumadu of the NPP, Bernard Bediako Baidoo of the NDC, and Owusu Patrick of the Liberal People’s Party.
Meanwhile Police on Monday started deployment of personnel to the various polling stations particularly remote communities.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
