The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers CODEO has predicted that this year's district level election will see a low turnout.
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Assembly elections: Low turnout expected today
"Some members of the public displayed limited knowledge on the concept of local governance and consequently the need for them to vote."
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CODEO said according to a survey conducted, the public blamed their disinterest in the election on lack of awareness.
"Some members of the public displayed limited knowledge on the concept of local governance and consequently the need for them to vote." Co chair of CODEO Prof. Miranda Greenstreet said.
The district level election is today and the EC has indicated its readiness for the exercise which takes place in 6,135 electoral areas.
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A total of 18,938 candidates comprising 1,182 women and 17,783 men are contesting to be assembly members. Five unit committee members in each electoral area will also be elected.
Prof. Greenstreet blamed civil society organizations and the media for refusing to give the district level election the attention it deserves.
Some political watchers have also attributed the lack of interest and the low patronage to the cancellation of the election in March this year.
The Supreme Court in March 2015 directed the Electoral commission to call off the district assembly elations after the EC was dragged to court by Benjamin Eyi Mensah a fisherman. Eyi Mensah argued that he was denied the opportunity to file his nominations after meeting all conditions to contest the election because the EC closed nominations before the Constitutional Instrument CI 85 could mature.
Currently heads of MMDA's have been asked to hold the fort until the elections are done. The MMDA's however cannot take any major decision with the assembly members.
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CODEO is concerned that the nation's lackadaisical attitude towards the district assembly election over the years is affecting grass root democracy.
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