Residents of the area have boycotted the biometric registration exercise over agitations that the electoral area has been changed from its original name.
The residents have resented the change of name from Atu-fali – Azasi to Akurugu Dabor, currently the polling centre for the district and threaten to boycott the registration process.
They claim Atu-fali – Azasi is the original name of the area and have protested against its transition to Akurugu Dabor which has since last two years been the electoral area.
Joe Amongya, a resident, explained to Xfm 95.1 that Akurugu Dabor is an “individual household” and cannot be represented as the entire electoral area, therefore calling for a reinstatement of the initial name –Atu-fali – Azasi.
He continued the controversy over the electoral area has birthed apathy in the residents towards the registration exercise.
He said several residents have since refused to register their names.
According to him, the DCE, under whose auspices the electoral area was changed, is anxious to counter attempts by the residents to restore calm in the area.
“…but the name of the area is called Atu-fali – Azasi. But then in the Electoral Commissioner’s office, initially it was Akurugu Dabor but later on, we had to go and do the correction by bringing in the original name that was initially called Atu-fali – Azasi. Not knowing that the DCE of the area didn’t like that name –Atu-fali – Azasi. So when that thing happened, the DCE protested it vehemently…the Atu-fali – Azasi is supposed to have an Assembly member but because of that issue, the DCE has prevented that thing to take place. There is no Assembly member for that particular area as I speak to you.” he stressed.
According to him, the DCE on a certain occasion swept the residents away from the electoral area, hence, preventing them from registering their names until the electoral area is restored to Akurugu Dabor. This he added has caused mayhem in the registration process at the Kadina Nakana district.
He stated the area is the stronghold of the governing party and dreaded the National Democratic Congress might lose votes in the district during the general elections.
He therefore called on the leadership of the party and government to revoke the appointment of the DCE.
Meanwhile, District Chief Executive, Emmanuel Andimah, has denied claims that he masterminded attempts to change the name of the area and refuted ever truncating the exercise in the district.
Though he confirmed that some residents have refused to register their names, he however ascribed it to technical glitches in the Biometric equipment.
He stated emphatically that the electoral area –Akurugu Dabor- was instituted in 2010 before the appointment of the District Chief Executive and so, he could not have been the originator of the new electoral area.
He however noted he is not anxious about the residents insisting to change the name of the electoral area but implored them to restore law and order.
The District Chief Executive and stakeholders in the area are making frantic efforts to resolve the conflict.
Story by Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/X fm 95.1/Accra/Ghana
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