Sekondi, Dec. 29, GNA - The Western Regional Office of the Electoral Commission (EC), has taken delivery of ballot papers for the District Level Elections in all the 17 districts of the region, Mr Steve Opoku-Mensah, the Regional Director of the Commission, said on Tuesday. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during a visit to the offices of the Commission at Sekondi, he said the ballot papers were being distributed to the districts for the elections on December 30, this year. Mr Opoku-Mensah said ballot papers for the unit committee elections have not arrived and hoped they would be in on time for the elections. Asked what happens if the ballot papers for the Unit Committee delays, the Western Regional Electoral Officer said 93voting would take place only when ballot papers for both elections are ready".

Mr Opoku-Mensah said democracy is expensive, not in monetary terms, bu= t in terms of the sacrifices that would have to be made by the citizenry. He urged the electorate to forgo the enjoyment of one Christmas and help elect responsible assembly members, who would bring development to their localities and districts.

He said the situation demanded that the elections are held during the Christmas period. During the visit, officials of the EC were seen sorting out ballot papers for dispatch to the various districts. He said a total of 1,555 candidates, including 86 females, are vying for the District Level Elections while another 4,741 candidates, including 447 females are also vying in the Unit Committee Level. Mr Opoku-Mensah said the Western Region has 544 electoral areas.