We begin today's newspaper review with reports from the papers about the just ended biometric registration exercise. The Daily Graphic, Daily Guide and The Chronicle bring to our notice that Biometric registration ends; over 12 million people register saying that the novelty biometric voters' registration exercise for the 2012 general election ended on Saturday. The Electoral Commission (EC) is yet to come out officially with the number of voters registered in the 40-day exercise.
The Daily Graphic also reports with the headline 'registration exercise disrupted that the biometric voters' registration at Akenkor, near Akyem Wenchi in the Akwatia Constituency in the Eastern Region, was disrupted for four days following the assault of two female officials of the Electoral Commission (EC) by a thug by name Kwabena Asara on Sunday. The victims, Ms Laurencia Kwadia and Ms Beatrice Akite, sustained serious injuries on their arms and hands and had to receive treatment at the Dominic Hospital at Akwatia.
Still on the biometric registration exercise, we are told in the Daily Graphic and the Crusading Guide that there is no need for wholesale extension. Most officials of the biometric voters' registration in the Ashanti Region have said they do not support the idea of a wholesale extension of the exercise which ended on May 5. They were of the view that the 40-days period for the registration exercise had been very successful in terms of the number of applicants who turned out to have their names compiled in the new voters roll.
The Daily Guide also indicates that Togolese biometric fraudsters caged, adding that three Togolese, who were arrested for fraudulently participating in the biometric registration exercise at Kotobabi' in Accra, have been remanded by an Accra Circuit Court. The three who were charged with voting offences, explained that they registered for business purposes. The court, presided over by Mrs. Adwoa Coleman, subsequently remanded them to re-appear on May 18, 2012.
In a related development, the Ghanaian Times reports in the headline EC Official expresses concern about "machomen" that Mr. Samuel Boadu, Deputy Brong Ahafo Regional Director of the Electoral Commission has expressed concern that some political party agents and followers still violated the rights of the prospective applicants at some biometric registration centers. He said some people were prevented by party agents and followers from registering on the grounds that they belonged to different parties or places of origin other than where the registration was taking place.
Away from the biometric registration but still on elections, we are informed in the Ghanaian Times that National Election Task Force to be inaugurated. The National Security will soon inaugurate a national Election Task force to be headed by the inspector General of Police, Paul Tawiah Quaye, to map out strategies and ensure a peaceful election. Mr. Paul Timbillah, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Greater Accra Region, who announced this in Accra on Thursday at the inauguration of Eminent Persons Group (EPG), explained that the task force would be made up of all the security agencies in the country. He said the task force would include the police,immigration,Fire Service and military, among others and would be also be launched at the district and regional capitals, all in the effort to maintain and ensure a peaceful atmosphere in the election year.
The Volta Regional House of Chiefs has said that the increasing suspicion, rivalry and sometimes tension among the various ethnic groups in the country fuelled by politics does not augur well for the country's progress. The Daily Graphic under the banner Volta chiefs against ethnic politics adds that "We, therefore, would like to call on all Ghanaians to receive with skepticism politics that play on the forces that divide us, that play on the sentiments that make us uncomfortable, and instead, begin to welcome endeavors that seek alliances within our nation."
The New Statesman also brings to our notice that EX-Minister blames political tension on weakening institutions. A former deputy Ashanti regional minister, Osei Assibey Antwi, has attributed the recent high political temperature in the country to what he calls 'the continued weakening of public institutions ' resulting from 'unprecedented unnecessary political interferences.'' He particularly mentioned the Ghana Police Service, Electoral Commission, the Ghana Journalists Association and the Media Commission as institutions that are not doing enough in the execution of their mandate.
The Ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Abokobi-Madina constituency, Alhaji Amadu Sorogho has reiterated the need for Ghanaians to embrace peace before, during and after the December general elections. He noted that: 'there can't be development without peace and that peace should be the priority of all Ghanaians,'' the Chronicle quotes him under the caption There can't be development without peace in Ghana-MP
We move on to political party activities as the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party for the December 2012 Elections, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, has expressed appreciation to the Muslim Community for the great support they had shown him since his appointment and endorsement as the NPP Running Mate. Last Friday, he hit the capital city of the Northern Region, Tamale, to among others, worship with fellow Muslims at the Tamale Central Mosque. Both the Daily Graphic and The Heritage report this under the headline Bawumia seeks blessing.
We round up today's newspaper review with the Daily Graphic's news that the Progressive People's Party (PPP) has encouraged the chiefs and people of the Volta Region to give the party a chance by voting it into power in the 2012 elections. With the heading give us chance, the paper states that according to the party, it had pledged to provide incorruptible leadership that would ensure the strengthening of state institutions to bring efficiency, increase revenues and eliminate corruption.
This daily news review is compiled by African Elections Project (AEP) Media Monitoring Centre, Accra, Ghana.
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