By Isaac Arkoh
Cape Coast, Dec. 07, GNA – Many elderly individuals in the Assin North Constituency of the Central Region have braved the chilly morning weather to cast their ballots in the December 07 general elections.
They are among a total of 46,675 registered voters expected to exercise their voting rights in the constituency.
While some stood, others comfortably sat in chairs engaging in conversations at the Assin Bereku Methodist school cluster of polling stations, where the Ghana News Agency observed numerous senior citizens taking the lead in the queue with anticipation.
The voting processes, which commenced at 0700 hours had been smooth across 102 polling centres with a designated special voting centre at Bereku catering for individuals with disabilities.
Two candidates, Mr Charles Opoku of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Mr James Gyakye Quayson of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) incumbent, are competing for the seat.
The tension and anxiety that characterised the Assin North by-election early this year were notably absent as scores of people arrived in buses from various parts of the country to participate in the electoral process.
A 75-year-old farmer, Mr Fiagbedzi Goodzo, expressed his unwavering determination to vote for the betterment of his descendants and future generations despite enduring hardships.
Similarly, Madam Florence Paintsil, an 80-year-old, who is partially blind, shared her motivation to support a party that prioritises the well-being of individuals with disabilities.
She emphasised the importance of voting according to one’s conscience after carefully considering the policies of all political parties.
Apart from the Methodist D/A Junior High School polling station, which commenced at approximately 0718 hours, all centres in Bereku, the District capital, started on time amidst heightened security measures.
At the Catholic Primary School, voting started without a security officer until 0756 when a police officer timely arrived to contain a misunderstanding between some voters and party agents.
The presiding officer at the Methodist D/A Junior High School, apologised for the delayed arrival of the officer and challenges in setting up the voting tables promptly.
Other presiding officers in communities such as Akomfodi, Brasuako, Asempaneye, Dansame and Assin Praso, expressed satisfaction with the voting process so far.
They reassured that they were adequately prepared for the exercise, reporting no major incidents or technical difficulties during the voting process.
GNA