Mock Voting In Selected Areas To Test Biometric Equipment

The Electoral Commission (EC) yesterday began mock voting at selected polling stations in Accra to test the effectiveness of its biometric voting equipment before the December 2012 elections. The demonstration exercise, which was conducted at the One Plus One and the Pentecost polling stations, both in the Weija Constituency in Accra, is expected to be extended to selected polling stations throughout the country. The turnout at the two polling stations was low because voters had not been well informed about the exercise. When the Daily Graphic visited the One Plus One Polling Stations at SCC, six electoral officials were at the station to assist voters who had come to take part in the demonstration exercise. It took less than 20 seconds for a voter to undergo the verification process. There was a name reference register placed at the centre to verify the identity of eligible voters who had gone to the polling station without their identification cards. They were asked to mention either their first names or surnames to show whether or not their names had been captured by the verification machines. According to the Ga South Municipal Electoral Officer, Mr. Kofi Frimpong, the exercise would be extended to selected polling stations in the Greater Accra Region to enable voters to acquaint themselves with the electoral processes. �This demonstration exercise is aimed at ensuring that the verification machines are properly tested to enable the EC to rectify any problem that may arise on voting day. We are not focusing on the crowd or the number of people who will come but rather to test our machines,� he said.