Much to the disappointment of many, the turnout for registration ahead of the local council elections come July was very low, as compared to the previous ones.
Various reasons were advanced for the low turnout by registrars at the various centres in the Western Area. Some attributed it to the massive registration for the 2007 presidential and parliamentary elections which automatically qualified them to vote in the forthcoming local council elections.
At the Western Urban Area of Samaria primary school Wellington Street, with ward number 379, the registrar Claudia Noah said the process was going at a snail pace either as a result of inadequate sensitization or mere demonstration of political apathy.
At registration centre at the Sierra Leone Muslim Brotherhood primary school at Naimbana Street in the Western Urban ward 397, a small queue comprising youths just attaining age 18 was formed.
The registrar, Alimatu Kanu, said the process went on smoothly, except for transfer cases and those who had attained 18 years posed challenge but that it was overcame.
Fatmata Sheku, Adiatu Jalloh and Alfred McCormack were proudly queued at the SLMB School at Naimbana Street to finalize their registration.
At the Western Urban area of Ward 397 Boston School, the centre was virtually empty.
With regard to transfer cases, anyone seeking to register or transfer his or her registration to a location or ward where he or she is resident, must present him/herself for registration in the ward in respect to finalize registration from 29th May to 1st June, 2008 stipulated registration period in accordance with the Section 12 of the electoral laws ACT 2002.
By Solomon Rogers
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