It would be better for local government elections to be conducted during weekends, Member of Parliament (MP) for Dome Kwabenya Constituency, Sarah Adwoa Safo, has suggested.
The Minister of State in Charge of Public Procurement believes weekend elections will curb low voter turnout and apathy usually associated with local government polls.
Members of the public are to elect new assembly heads and unit committee members for the next four-year term after the expiration of the tenure of the current leaders this year.
Speaking on the heels of the polls held on Tuesday, the Deputy Majority Leader said: “I think that moving forward as a country we have to look at shifting such elections to a weekend”.
She argues that most adults are busy with work and other business activities during weekdays hence authorities and the Electoral Commission (EC) should consider weekend periods to increase boost voter turnout.
To buttress her argument, the MP cited Taifa, an area under her constituency where she said is noted for brisk business. The MP said on voting day “you see people in their shops and the markets doing their work” instead of trooping to polling stations to cast their ballot.
She added that the system of assembly heads and unit committee members is apt if the country is to strengthen local governance hence the necessary support must be offered for optimum effectiveness.