A number of concerns have been raised about the on-going voters’ registration exercise across the country, necessitating calls for its extension. There have been overcrowding at almost all the electoral areas with people queuing as early as 5 a.m. to register, and yet some are unable to do so. The exercise has also been greeted with controversy over registration of minors and bussing in of potential voters. In addition, there are reports of short of electoral materials and suspension of registration exercise in some electoral areas. The General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party, Nana Ohene-Ntow, speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, said the party will implore the Electoral Commission to extend the registration period. He feared some eligible voters would be disenfranchised due to these multifaceted problems. Nana Ohene-Ntow said he is not completely satisfied with the arrangement of the exercise, causing stampede in some areas. The NPP General Secretary said: “I don’t see how you can deprive people of the opportunity to register by your own arrangement. The arrangement as we understood was meant to be 10 days, (but) if you go on the ground, in your electoral area it is for six days, in another area it is for four days. The public have not been properly informed. We are definitely going to vote for an extension.” Members of other political parties on the show also backed and stated reasons why the EC should extend the registration period. Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, Executive Director of Institute for Democratic Governance supported calls for the extension of the voter’s registration exercise. He said it is time the EC deploy technology to facilitate its activities. The EC earmarked 31st July to 10th August for the registration of first-time voters for the 2008 general elections, but there are doubts, whether every eligible person can be registered. Story by Isaac Essel