Kumasi — THE VOTER population of the Ashanti Region, after the recent 13-day voters' registration exercise, which ended on August 12, now stands at 2,375,444.

The Ashanti Region recorded 374,451 new voters, adding up to the voter population of 2,000,993, as at the District Assembly elections in 2006.

During the 2006 revision of the voters' register, a total of 108,936 voters (6% increase) were registered.

Statistics collated by The Chronicle from the districts, and confirmed by the Electoral Commission (EC) at the briefing of Registration Review Committees of the Kumasi Sub- metro Councils yesterday, indicate that 226,032 of the newly-registered voters were provided with photo ID cards, during the exercise.

The figure included about 440 voters, who registered in 2004 and 2006, but could not have their pictures taken.

The EC has indicated that photo ID cards would be provided for the 148,419 newly-registered voters, who could not take pictures during the just-ended exercise, to complete the registration process, over four days, between September 12 and 15, this year.

Out of the newly-registered voters, the 18-year-olds were 127,993, made up of 65,336 males and 62,657 females, while the 19-year-olds totalled 85,449, of which 43,600 were males and 41,847 females.

Voters of 20 years and above, were 161,109, consisting 84,909 males and 76,100 females.

The Chronicle is informed that the EC received a total of 2,871 complaints regarding minors, non-residents, and double registration, with the Bantama constituency recording 983 challenges out of the lot.

Meanwhile, the EC has programmed a study tour of the Commission's headquarters in Accra, for representatives of the political parties, constituting Regional Inter Party Advisory Committees (IPAC).

The tour, which follows a series of meetings for major stakeholders of IPAC, under a KAB Consult, EC collaboration, was meant to build the confidence of the political parties in the EC, and develop a deeper appreciation of the operations of the EC, as well as build up the integrity of the electoral process.

Each registered political party was expected to be represented by two persons (preferably the chairman and secretary) from the regions, on the tour of the EC head office.

The planned tour would, as well, offer the opportunity to the membership of Regional IPACs, to learn at firsthand the Information Technology (IT) setup of the EC.

The tour participants would also interact with the EC at an open forum, where genuine concerns are expected to be raised, for discussion.

According to a programme released by the EC, IPAC members from the Greater Accra and Volta regions would undertake the said tour on September 4, while the Brong Ahafo and Upper West regions take their turn on September 8.

The programme indicated that the Ashanti and Western regions, Central and Eastern regions and Northern and Upper East regions, would join the programme to tour the EC offices, on September 10, 12 and 18, respectively.