Northern Region experiences shortage of Photo material

Accra, April 8, GNA - The minority parties in Tamale, comprising the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples National Congress (PNC), Convention Peoples Party (CPP) and the Great Consolidation Popular Party (GCPP) have expressed concern about an acute shortage of photo material for the ID cards currently going on in the region.

The parties also expressed surprise at the announcement by Mr Isaac Asomaning, Northern Regional Electoral Officer that there were no problems in the region.

Alhaji Gaddo Sulemana, Northern Regional Chairman of the NDC was speaking to the GNA after the parties had met with Mr Asomaning in Tamale on Wednesday.

Alhaji Sulemana said eligible voters at Old Kaladan, Tuffour Hotel, Shishegu, Nyohini, and Kukuo in the Tamale Metropolis and some centres at Gushiegu Karaga districts assembly registration centres were turned away on Tuesday due to shortage of films and that it was wrong for the EC official to come on air without assessing the situation the ground. He alleged that the Radio announcement that there was no shortage of films while there was creating unnecessary agitation from a section of the youth.

Mr Sulemana said however, that the timely intervention of some of the leaders in the minority parties averted what would have been an unpleasant situation.

He said, "Any attempt to mislead the public would create tension, particularly in Northern Region where the situation is already volatile."

He therefore, appealed to the government and the EC to expedite action to correct the anomaly by ensuring that every eligible voter was covered. Alhaji Sulemana claimed that Mr Gaddo was aware of the shortage, saying, "He told us that they are expecting more photo material from the Brong Ahafo Region and a parcel containing materials through the Inter-City STC Bus meaning that he knows of the shortage."

He said all the minority parties were working in the interest of all Ghanaians and called on the electorate to remain calm while the EC addresses the situation.

Mr Asomaning, in a telephone interview attributed situation to the wastage of films and gave the assurance that everything possible was being done to ensure that everybody was covered. He said the Northern Region registered 936,000 people and that 970,000 films were supplied for the exercise.