As the District Level Elections (DLE) approach in the Central Region, candidates from various backgrounds are gearing up for the December 19 polls. Notably, 90 per cent of the 6,074 candidates are from professions such as teaching, artisanal work, and farming.
The DLE, following the District Level Elections Regulations 2015 (CI89), follows the expiration of the term of the Assembly and Unit Committee Members on Sunday, December 17.
Among the candidates, there is a diverse representation of occupations, including nurses, statisticians, accounts officers, administrators, business owners, traders, students, lotto agents, barbers, fishermen, and the unemployed.
Educational qualifications vary, with about 80 per cent holding the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE), the Secondary School Certificate Examination, and the West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE/WASSCE).
Notably, seven candidates boast master's degrees in public administration, accountancy, and auditing, while the majority hold Middle School Leaving Certificate (MSLC), National Vocational and Technical Institute (NVTI) Certificates, and a few Diplomas and Degrees.
In terms of sectors, farming, fishing, and artisanal businesses are prevalent in rural areas and fishing communities. In urban and peri-urban settings, teaching, administrative work, and driving are more prominent.
Mr. Manu Sakyi, the Deputy Regional Director of the Electoral Commission (EC), provided insights into the candidate distribution. Out of the 6,074 candidates, 1,634 are contesting the District Assembly Election (DAE), while 4,440 are vying for Unit Committee slots. The region encompasses 3,413 polling centres and 572 electoral areas.
Cape Coast Metro leads in the number of candidates for DAE, recording 135, followed by KEEA with 126, and AEE with 115. The AEE has the highest number of candidates for Unit Committee Election at 362, followed by Agona West with 300.
Although the total number of polling centres has slightly decreased from 3,417 in 2020 to 3,413 in 2023, Mr Sakyi attributed this to population dynamics. The EC is fine-tuning logistics for free, fair, and transparent elections, scheduled to take place between 0700 hours and 1700 hours.
The non-partisan election will feature two ballot boxes at each polling station, one for the District Assembly and another for the Unit Committee.
Agents of candidates will be present to observe proceedings, and the counting of ballots will commence after the polls close at 1700 hours. Every voter in the queue at the polling station's closing time will be allowed to vote.
The upcoming DLE promises a diverse representation of candidates from various walks of life, emphasizing the importance of local governance and community involvement.