Accra, June 18, GNA – The Electoral Commission Thursday organised a demonstration session for its stakeholders on how the new Biometric Voter Registration kits (BVR) kits operate.
The Commission also gave an insight into how the anti-COVID-19 pandemic protocols would be observed at the registration centres on from Tuesday, June 30, when the registration for a Voters’ Roll commences.
The stakeholders include the representatives of the National Democratic Congress, Liberal Party of Ghana, New Patriotic Party, JOY, People Action Party, National Media Commission, the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG).
Dr Serebour Quarcoe, the Director of Elections at the Commission, also took the representatives through the health protocol processes they should expect at the centres
They involve the washing of hands, checking of temperature and joining the two-metre distance marked queues.
He explained that a person would first need to show either a passport or the Ghana Card as proof of identity and provide details to enable the officer to fill the form A.
After that table, the individual would proceed to the next table, where the person’s biometrics, including fingerprints, picture and facial details, would be taken before proceeding to the last stage where the card is issued.
He also took them through the process of vouching for a person who would not have any of the two identification cards, and the online process for pregnant women and persons above 60 years.
The Reverend Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Christian Advocacy Africa, asked political parties to make sustainable peace and development their guiding principles.
“Opposing factions will not go into a competition and behave like there nothing at stake. Every election season we hear allegations and counter allegations,” he stated.
“These allegations don’t mean that they don’t love their nation; but they all mean well.
“Nobody wants Ghana to crush. All stakeholders want the best for the country. The people in-charge must, therefore, listen to the issues and take steps to correct them. It will also help improve and deepen our democracy. We all want the country to progress”
Commenting on the event, he expressed satisfaction at the processes, saying that because he had one of the identification cards the process was smooth.
He said the Commission had taken the COVID-19 safety protocols such as the washing of hands, checking of temperature, use of hand sanitizer and social distancing very serious.
However, he said, “There was a little bit of technical hitch, but I think these are machines I cannot speak to that.”
Mr Peter Mac Manu, the 2020 Election Campaign Manager of the ruling NPP, expressed satisfaction, especially at the safety protocols and the speed of registration process, saying it was encouraging.
“Overall, I spent about seven minutes. At the first table, where my data was taken, it took just three minutes to complete it and at the second table, I spent about four minutes. The EC has done very well and this shows the real registration will be successful,” he said.
Mr Osei Kwame Griffiths, the Director of IT for the NDC, however, said the average registration time would not be enough to register all Ghanaians at the stipulated time.
GNA