Residents at Kenyasi in the Asutifi North District of the Brong-Ahafo Region have halted trading and other commercial activities to participate in the referendum exercise for the creation of the Ahafo Region.
While voting is still ongoing, some opinion leaders, including some enthusiastic youth at Ahafo area were seen moving from house to house urging residents to go out and vote YES to enable the area get the required number of endorsements for the creation of the region.
The few businesses that were spotted operating at Kenyasi and its surrounding communities were owned by persons who had returned from casting their votes.
As at 7 am when voting started, there were long queues at some of the polling centres with voters waiting patiently to cast their ballots.
The long queues at some of the polling stations reduced after 11 am leaving some of the Electoral Commission (EC) officials idle.
Some presiding officers said although many were yet to cast their votes, turnout was impressive.
Special treatment was given to the aged and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) at the various polling stations.
Also spotted at the various polling stations, were security personnel deployed who were on site to maintain law and order.
At about 10 am at the CMB Shed Ntotroso Road Kenyasi No.2 polling station “A”, out of a total of 672 registered voters expected to vote for the referendum, only 138 people had voted.
Also at CMB Shed Ntotroso Road Kenyasi No.2 polling station “B”, a total of 659 voters were expected to cast their vote, but only 165 people had voted.
At open space polling station “A”, out of the total of 600 registered voters who are expected to vote, about 148 people had so far voted, while the open space polling station “B” out of a total of 566 registered voters, only 132 people had voted.
A Presiding Officer of the CMB Shed Ntotroso Road Kenyasi No.2 polling station “A”, Mr Justice Konlan told Graphic online that, he was sacrificed with the turn out so far and expressed the hope that the turn out of the exercise would increase later in the day.
He said he had not encountered any challenges as all those who visited the centre had voted successfully.
Mr Konlan said none of the registered voters had complained of their names missing from the register.
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By: citinewsroom.com | Ghana