Creation Of New Regions To Reduce Spoilt Ballots – Jean Mensa

The Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa has stated her confidence in reducing spoilt ballots in the upcoming referendum.

Mrs. Jean Mensa said the Commission has doubled up voter education to ensure the December 27 referendum on the creation of new regions in selected parts of the country, records overwhelming valid votes.

She told Joy News’ Kojo Yankson in an interview that the Commission has sent out some of its officers to the field; market squares, churches, mosques and other public centres to do a face to face education of voters.

“We have selected some radio stations in the affected areas and are engaging in media publicity on them as well,” she said.

The EC boss is also hopeful that since there are only two slots on the ballot paper, it will make the decision easier and thus reduce the possibility of invalid votes.

“Those in favour of the creation will vote beside the yellow box and those against will vote beside the dark brown box,” she stated.

The referendum seeks to create six new regions which has been largely argued, would boost development in those areas.

The regions that will be created if they get the required 50% voter turnout and 80% ‘Yes’ votes, are: Oti, Savana, Ahafo, Western North,  North East and Bono East.