The National Identification Authority (NIA) says it has come to its attention that some persons are spreading rumour that citizens unable to register during the mass registration exercise will be made to pay before they register in future. The rumour, according to a press statement issued by the Public Affairs Department of the Authority has created anxiety among the general public and has led to people crowding the registration centres and waiting several hours in order to be registered. "The NIA wishes to state that the rumour is unfounded and to emphasise that registration is free at all times. Persons who are unable to register during the Mass Registration Exercise will NOT pay for registration when they do so later," the release said. "We are also informed of the rumour to the effect that persons who do not register during the Mass Registration Exercise will not be allowed to vote in the 2012 general elections. This is also not true. The Electoral Commission reserves the sole right to register people for voting purposes and there is no requirement that stipulates that only persons registered with the NIA will be allowed to vote," the release added. "The NIA is a permanent institution and is in the process of opening Regional Offices this year to register persons who are unable to do so during this Mass Registration Phase", the statement said, assuring the public that everybody would eventually be registered under the system and advised that it was not necessary for people to stand in long queues for hours to get registered. It said it was an offence to solicit or offer incentives in any form in order to register or be registered, stressing that the NIA encouraged the public to report any cases of fraud to the Authority on 0211933674 or 024-464-5367 or to the nearest Police Station. Source: Ghanaian Times/Ghana