The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has reported a huge turnout of 32, 577 (thirty-two thousand five hundred and seventy-seven) voters in 451 (four hundred and fifty one) centers during the first day of the nationwide voter registration exercise which took off on Monday, 23rd January 2012.
Chief of Outreach of NEC, Albert Massaquoi revealed that by the close of day last Monday, the NEC Headquarters received information from its Registrars across the country that they recorded an impressive turnout of voters in various centers.
He gave the following statistics on the registration of Monday, 23rd January 2012. Western Urban (233 centers) registered 6,127 at 59 VRC, Western Rural (117 centers) 2,075 registered at 30 centers, Kenema (306 centers) registered 2,893 at 40 centers, Bo (273 centers ) 3,662 registered at 52 centers, Bonthe (117 centers) registered 1,139 at 17 centers, Moyamba (198 centers) registered 3221 at 44 centers, Bombali (290 centers) 1,846 registered at 26 centers, Kambia (155 centers) 985 registered at 15 centers, Portloko (290) 2,718 registered at 41 centers, Tonkolili (218 centers) 1,653 registered at 23 centers, Koinadugu (234) 764 registered at 13 centers, Pujehun (158 centers) registered 1,744 at 27 centers, Kono (207) registered 2,028 at 28 centers and Kailahun (202 centers) registered 1,722 at 36 centers.
The percentage registration levels per region according to Mr. Massaquoi are as follows: East-57%, North- 40%, South-74%, Western Rural-100% and Western Urban-100%.
Massaquoi said the Commission is quite impressed with the turnout especially on the first day of the exercise, despite the hiccups encountered on the first day. He assured of gradual increase in the turnout as the exercise progresses through the four phases. He noted that NEC staff engaged in the exercise would have also familiarized properly with the biometric machines.
He advised registration staff to go strictly by the guide lines stipulated in the work manual made available to them and warned them against “highhandedness” in their relationship with voters especially in the provinces.
In another development, NEC raised strong objection to political party agents engaging in parallel registration exercises at various centers across the country.
A press statement from NEC disclosed that some political party agents were engaged in parallel registration contrary to the voter registration procedures. The statement reminds political parties of Section 38(8) of the 1991 Constitution which asserts inter alia “…the registration of voters and the conduct of elections in every constituency shall be subject to the direction and supervision of the Electoral Commission.”
The release reminded parties that their agents are only allowed to observe the registration process and not to engage in any parallel registration. The Commission advised political parties to abide by the said provision and warned of penal actions should the provision be contravened.
By Poindexter Sama
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