Rural dwellers in Nimba and Bong counties have been encouraged to take advantage of the voter registration exercise as the best way of electing individuals of their choice.

The Executive Director of the National Youth Movement for Transparency (NAYMOTE), Eddie Jarwolo disclosed that following a ten day awareness workshops done in Bong and Nimba counties, residents of the two counties are now turning out in large number to register.

He said the workshops are being sponsored by the UNDP and implemented by his group. The purpose of the workshop is to increase awareness and encourage rural dwellers turn out for the exercise.

NAYMOTE is working along side with local authorities of the two counties to encourage residents turn out and register.

Jarwolo explained that awareness for the voter registration exercise have been poor, but that since the workshops, villagers have been turning out in large numbers.

He said one of the reasons for the low turn out in the rural areas is due to the fact that some villagers have to cover long distances (2 hours) to reach a polling center before returning to their farms.

Another reason for the low turn out, according to Jarwolo, is that some of the villagers have expressed concern about the alarming increase in the number of presidential candidates, saying that the number of presidential aspirants have confused them.

The NAYMOTE boss pointed out that most polling centers are not accessible in most parts of the counties.

He said chiefs and zoes have been going to villages encouraging residents to register for the exercise.