0935hrs December 28, 2008
WHAT HAS BEGAN SLOWLY MAY END UP FULFILLING AND BIG
what a feeling.!!!
This morning, I run away from the cradle and sneaked into town to see for myself. Yes, its true, there were no long outdoor sleep-overs and certainly no one had brought buckets and kettles to queue on their behalf in the thick of the dark, foggy, cold (okay, cool) harmattan night. But don't kid yourself ... people are actually voting and I am not sure we shall have a low turnout at all.
Indeed, there is less work in this election for voters.. first of all, its only two candidates instead of 7 and average 4 parliamentary candidates in the first round and you went through a dual voting.. this time, its one sheet, two people and its one touch for voters.. the process as I have observed in the stations I have visited, is one of comfort, easy going but takes no more than 2-3 minutes for one to vote... so it appears to an "untrained" eye, there is voter apathy. I am not sure I agree... but in these matters anything can happen and the surprises can be to the detriment of one candidate over the other.
Even some churches held their services this morning unlike we saw happening in round one.
By the way, JJ just voted in Osu and he spoke to the media afterwards. He did not sound a happy man.. he started by saying he was happy with the choice he has made and voted for but that he is informed about perpetration of fraud by the other side, that non professionals and untrained persons have been armed and put in police and military uniforms to cause mayhem. the country wont accept any elections based on fraud. that as far as he is concerned Nana and Mills would both be acceptable to Ghanaians if there is conviction that the elections have been free and fair. he cited radio reports of "already thumb printed papers against the name of the person in number one position". He called on the IGP and the EC to take control of the situation. He sounded really hard. But I am not sure what he was saying and I am sure that the day will see the truth come out. In any case, the radio stations have clarified the situation and noted that in South Tongu Constituency (Volta Region), the party agents and the EC officials have agreed on how to deal with some ballot papers with BLOTS not thumbprints and voting is going on smoothly
well, it was also just reported that in New Juaben North constituency (Eastern Region), it appears some EC officials have been chased out of their station because they had added their own dimension by thumb-printing some part of the ballot papers.. The problem has been isolated and they will be re-commencing voting pretty soon.
This is one voting where all are vigilant. one interesting side kick is one station in Kumasi (Subin Constituency), it is reported that one or two voters after thumb printing their ballots, they showed their choice before folding their paper to put into the ballot box. Of course, the security guy there warned all in the queue not to even dream of doing same else they face the rigours of the law. indeed that act is a crime punishable with free accommodation at the pleasure of the benevolent taxpayer.
All is going on well...its going to be a nail biter once we get closer to 1700hrs today.
Ghana is truly sweet.. I pity those of you without a vote to cast. so whether you are moving forward or changing. it matters not... exercise your franchise!!
very sincerely yours
Bla Elik
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