Confusion Greets Special Voting In Some Parts Of Ghana

The special voting taking place throughout the country is not without hitches. 

Though materials and officials arrived on time and voting started at 7.am at most centres the exercise is plagued with frustrations as some security personnel, journalists and even electoral officers could not find their names. 

Reports from our correspondents say turnout were impressive but for the fact that people could not find their names where they were originally scheduled to vote. 

There was anxiety and candidates were visually upset that the EC generated a new list last night which is being used by the electoral officers. 

This list they say is different from what the EC provided the parties. 

The EC however says it expects this exercise to be smooth. 

The Director of Communications, Eric Dzakpasu, told Radio Ghana in an interview early on that there is no cause for alarm as Thursday's special voting will set the tone for successful polls in the general election next week. 

In the Eastern Region, correspondent Kwamina Onumah reports that voting is being done in 33 constituencies. 

The exercise began smoothly at some of the polling stations visited by our News team in Koforidua, the Regional capital. 

About 2,224 eligible voters are to partake in the special voting at two polling stations in the New Juaben Municipality. 

At the Dansoman police station, the NPP candidate Ursula Owusu- Ekuful wondered why the EC should generate different registers for the election and why the list her party agents have is different from what is now being used. 

However, the presiding officer, Frank Adjei explained that the new list generated only last night is only an update. 

In related development, as at 8:30am when our reporter got to the Legon Police Station Polling Centre for Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency, 107 people out of 1,128 eligible voters had exercised their franchise. 

According to the Presiding Officer, Alexander Kwesi Oppong Poku, voting started at exactly 7am. 

Some people could not find their names in the register. 

GBC