Some eligible voters in Jaman South District of the Brong Ahafo Region, have attributed the low voter turn-out in the District Level Elections (DLE) to election-fatigue, apathy and insufficient publicity about the exercise.
They blamed the Electoral Commission (EC) and the government for the situation, but lauded the media for the diverse and active roles it played to ensure the success of the national exercise.
Responding to a survey conducted by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in the District, some of the voters were also critical of the Information Services Department for the role it played before, during and after the elections.
Mr Frederick Amo, a polling officer stationed at Kwameseikrom Electoral Area on the Ghana- Cote d’ Ivoire border where the DLE was rescheduled twice on December 29 and December 30 2010, told the Ghana News Agency that he and some volunteers embarked on an outreach programme to sensitise the electorate on the need for them to exercise their franchise.
He said the move was necessitated because he foresaw a poor turn-out in the elections due to voting fatigue and apathy.
At another electoral area on the border, Mr Thomas Kyere Djan, a polling assistant expressed concern about the postponement of the election and the lack of information about the rescheduled dates.
He noted that the situation disrupted the socio-economic activities of the people.
Postponement of the DLE due to unavailability of ballot papers affected Konsia, Adamsu Old Town, Adiokor No. 11 and Dwenem electoral areas.
Mr Yaw Maama Afful, Member of Parliament for Jaman South, said the District Assembly and Unit Committee elections were a mess and a wake-up call to the EC to prepare better for Election 2012.
He criticised the ruling National Democratic Congress “for the poor show” and the late disbursement of money to the EC to organise the national event.
Mr Samuel Buadu, Deputy Regional Director of the EC, expressed optimism that notwithstanding the myriad of challenges encountered by the Commission, it was in a better position to ensure the smooth conduct of future elections.