US$1.1m for VR extension

The National Elections Commission or NEC says it would need a whopping sum of over US$1.1 million approximately US$1.146, 540 to extend the ongoing voters’ registration process which expires tomorrow by one week.

NEC chairman, Cllr. Jerome George Korkoya told a news conference late Friday evening, March 3, at the commission’s headquarters in Monrovia, that the amount in question will cover personnel cost, leases, and transportation.

“This amount represents 25 percent of the salary cost of each registration personnel which accumulates to US$613,000, vehicle rental and lease US$453,740 and civic education, US$79,800. The commission will communicate these amounts to the relevant agencies of government for action,” he said.

The extension comes in the wake of early delays to the start of the registration process, which has so far recorded a low turnout. NEC had earlier expected to register at least 2.5 million people to participate in the impending election, but recorded a little over 1.1 million.

“That is to say the registration period scheduled to end on March is now to end March 14, of this year. During the one week additional time, registration centers will be opened throughout the week including Sunday.

According to him, in further measure to provide opportunity for citizens to register, the commission has adjusted the number of maximum registrants in a registration center from 3,000 to 4,500. “Therefore, all that registered 3,000 registrants and therefore closed are ordered reopened to continue registration. They are instructed to continue to register up to 4,500 persons in those centers,” he told the conference.

NEC had earlier reported that some of the registration centers in Bong and Montserrado Counties had registered the maximum of 3,000 voters and were therefore closed. But, Chairman Korkoya noted since their closure, the commission continues to receive report that citizens, especially women, elderly and people with disabilities, in the vicinity where centers have closed are finding it difficult to register.

By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor-Edited by Othello B. Garblah