1.1 MONITORING OF THE DISTRICT LEVEL ELECTIONS
As part of the normal activities performed by the Commission during an election period, the Obuasi office of NCCE also participated actively in the monitoring of the District level election. Though, Information was carried out about the postponement of the district level election in the Ashanti Region together with other regions in the Country instead of the stipulated date (28th December, 2010), the office did not relent to the inconsistency which took place and neglect their task concerning the election. It meticulously followed the electoral commission for any development regarding the elections.
Election in the Obuasi Municipality started on the 29TH of December 2010 as a result of the postponement by the Electoral Commission. Election on this day witnessed thirty five electoral units having the chance to exercise their franchise .The remaining three electoral units had their turn on the 31ST of December 2010. They included; Gauso North, Kunka and Akaporiso electoral areas.
It is obvious nationwide that, elections in the year 2010 did not go on smoothly as envisaged. Reasons attributed to the re-scheduling was that, the printing presses contracted for the printing of the electoral materials did not meet the deadline set by the EC.
OBSERVATIONS AND COMMENTS ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
At the end of the two day election period, twelve incumbent assembly men and women emerged as winners at their respective electoral areas. Thirteen incumbent assembly men and woman lost their seats. Twenty six new members were elected. The general voter turn-out for the 2010 District Level election in the Obuasi Municipal was low in almost all the polling stations. They cited the postponements as the major cause of the low voter turn-out. Another reason was that most of the people were reluctant to leave their work to go and vote and that in future the election day should be declared a holiday. Apathy on the part of the voters with the reasons that, they had not benefitted from the previous elections.
Out of the 16women contestants in the District Assembly Elections only 4 won their seats.
An interesting thing we observed during the mounting of platform was that at Tutuka North Electoral Area we had 5 contestants including a man, Nana Osei Tutu and his wife Madam Eunice Dankwah. At the end of the elections Nana Osei Tutu won with 269votes while Madam Eunice Dankwah came second with 169 votes. They are still living together as husband and wife.
During the period prior to the elections, the local FM station Shaft FM gave the various contestants who were interested free air time to tell their people their agenda and answer questions from the public. It was a very lively programme and it whipped up the people’s enthusiasm.
Even though, we claim the Local Government Elections were non-partisan, it was observed that the various political parties were under cover campaigning for their party sympathizers.
Apart from 2 polling stations where there were few scuffles, the whole exercise was peaceful.
The dissolution of the Assembly and Unit Committees created vacuum in the communities. The organization of programmes in the communities was therefore very difficult especially where the old Assembly members were no more contesting and the chiefs were not residing in the community.
Out of the 190 persons elected to serve in the 38 Unit Committees only 32 are women.
26 of the 38 Units have women representatives. New Nsuta Auntie Bee Unit and Tiatiaso Unit have 3 women each in their Unit Committees.
Of the 38 Units in the Municipality, elections were conducted in 33 Units. The remaining 5 had only 5 contestants and therefore they were returned unopposed. The rest had contestants ranging from 5 to 16 persons.
All class of people with various qualifications and professions contested. They included MSLC leavers, JSS School Certificates holders, Teachers, Farmers, Artisans and many more.
You people are doing a great job in your Municipality.
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