EC puts biometric registration on hold in seven electoral areas in Akuse
The Electoral Commission (EC) on Friday suspended Biometric Voter Registration exercise in seven electoral areas within Akuse due to a legal suit before the Supreme Court.
The electoral areas are Zongo Newtown, Akutue, Osukutu, Amedeka, Salom and Bungalow, a EC statement signed by Mr Christian Owusu-Parry, Acting Director of Public Affairs to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra stated.
The statement acknowledged that; “In view of a pending suit before the Supreme Court in a matter in which Charles Mate Kole and another are challenging the placement of the above mentioned electoral areas of the Lower Manya Krobo District under the Dangme West District in L.I. 1983.
“The Electoral Commission has decided to put registration of voters in the affected electoral areas on hold until the determination of the matter by the Supreme Court on the June 13.”
The Commission assured all eligible voters in the affected electoral areas that it would make and announce arrangements for them to be registered as soon as the decision of the Supreme Court was made known.
The EC appealed to all prospective voters to remain calm and make themselves available for registration at the appropriate time.
Meanwhile Manya Krobo Traditional Council on Friday called on the EC and its agents to suspend all Biometric Voter Registration activities in Akuse until the determination of a case pending at the Supreme Court on the status of Akuse.
“We wish to register our strongest protest to the Electoral Commission and urge you to stop the biometric voter registration at Akuse until the determination of the Supreme Court Case,” in a petition to the EC and copied to GNA in Accra.
It was jointly signed by Nene Opkatakpla Sasraku IV, Divisional Chief of Manya, Nene Domer Siako II, Divisional Chief Suisu and Nene Agbaun Narh III, Divisional Chief of Djebiam.
The petitioners said Akuse had been part of Lower Manya Krobo District Assembly or Manya Krobo District Assembly with its headquarters at Odumase-Krobo.
They pointed out that “Akuse was quietly smuggled to the Dangme West District in the Greater Accra Region in 2010 when new districts were created in the country. The chiefs and people of Manya Krobo Traditional Council will not sit down unconcerned for the exercise to take place at Akuse while the Supreme Court case is pending”.
“We hope you will stop the registration as demanded by us,” it added.
Source: GNA