The Eastern Regional Directorate of Interparty and Civil Society Relations in training over 16,700 polling agents from 4,110 polling stations in the region ahead of the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
These agents will play a crucial role among other things by observing the electoral process and certifying polling results.
Speaking to the media in Koforidua, Kwaku Boateng, the Eastern Regional Director of Interparty and Civil Society Relations, the training will focus on educating polling agents about Constitutional Instrument (CI) 126, which governs voter registration, and CI 127, which details the election process.
He started that detail understanding of these electoral laws is essential to ensuring compliance at polling stations to enhance the credibility of the elections.
“We are going to train these agents because we have observed that despite the critical roles polling agents play, they often have little knowledge about their duties and responsibilities in ensuring a credible election process,” Boateng stated.
He added “In previous disputed elections, we saw how the actions and inactions of some polling agents created controversies and affected the credibility of some results. So we want to avoid all these to ensure this year’s election is free, fair, and credible.”
The upcoming election will see 13 Presidential candidates, including four independents, competing for office.
The main contest is between Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who is attempting a comeback after losses in 2016 and 2020.
Parliamentary elections will also be held simountenuosly across 275 constituencies across the country.
Kofi Asante, Deputy Director for InterParty and Civil Society Relations Relations on his part said having competent polling agents is crucial in ensuring credible election.
He said agents who know their duties and responsibilities will always insist the right things are done.
He believes the training will achieve the set out objectives.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Obed Ansah
