Reports from the National Elections Commission (NEC) say there has been an extension in the phase I voters’ registration exercise by additional eight days.
However, the temporary staffers have already begun agitating going beyond Sunday, April 9 and that said extension is without their consent and approval.
According to the NEC contractors, they were contracted for three weeks therefore any additional time or days; they must be consented instead of receiving contract forms stating that the process ends on Monday, April 17 while in the field.
Their contention now is that for the present voters registration process, they are being paid US$300 for the three week therefore any additional days must have its own or additional cost attached before going any further.
The extension comes perhaps due to the lack of proper public education or awareness toward the process mainly relating to the creation of new registration centers in the counties which are distance as compared to previous ones during the three successes elections from 2005 to 2017.
As a result, many people mainly those of age including the youth are finding it difficult if not impossible to trek long distances to get registered to vote in the pending Presidential and Legislative Elections scheduled later this year.
During midweek, a prominent politician, Brownie Jeffery Samukai of the Unity Party who hails from Lofa County expressed his displeasure due to the lack of public education for an important exercise by the election management body and its international partners.
If all goes well with the extension, the temporary staff might have an overdose as phase two which include Nimba, Bong, Lofa, Grand Gedeh, Maryland, Rivergee, Grand Kru, Sinoe and Rivercess is expected to get underway from Thursday, April 20 to Thursday, May 11, 2023.
