First time registered voters excited for being enfranchised

The just-ended limited registration exercise by the Electoral Commission (EC) for persons who have attained 18 years and above was highly patronised by the youth, especially senior high school graduates.

The exercise, which was held between August 4 and 13, 2014, also provided an opportunity for some adults who, for one reason or another, could not register during the last registration to do so. 

At the various registration centres the Junior Graphic visited, some youth who had longed for the opportunity to be enfranchised expressed their excitement at registering and having a voter’s identification card.

According to the newly registered voters the Junior Graphic spoke with, having the ID cards would offer them the opportunity to choose the leaders of the country, adding that with the cards, they could also engage in other transactions where national identification cards were requested.

Miss Nana Adjoa Baiden-Amissah, who was unsuccessful after two attempts to register when the exercise began, said she was satisfied after going through the process on the third attempt.

“Registering for the first time is a good feeling as I would also get the opportunity to vote in 2016,” she said.

A graduate of the Christian Methodist SHS at New Aplaku, near Accra, Master Isaac Ofosu Aboagye, said he always felt like voting whenever he saw registered voters in queues to vote, especially during the 2012 elections.

“Thank God today I am an eligible voter. I can now exercise my franchise in 2016,” he added.

Two registration officials, Messrs Solomon Pobee and Micheal Amponsah said majority of the newly registered voters were between 18 and 20 years old.