Accra, Jan. 19, GNA - The National Identification Authority (NIA), on Tuesday reiterated that the national registration exercise is free and those who were unable to take advantage of the mass registration would not pay for the process in future.

A statement issued by the Public Relations Department of the NIA denied rumours that persons unable to register during the mass registration exercise would be made to pay before they do so. "This rumour has created anxiety among the general public and has led to people crowding the registration centres and waiting several hours in order to be registered.

"NIA wishes to state that the rumours are unfounded and to emphasise that registration is free at all times. Persons who are unable to register during the mass registration exercise will not pay for registration when they do so later."

NIA said it was also informed of a rumour to the effect that persons who did not register during the mass registration exercise would not be allowed to vote in the 2010 general election. "This is also not true. The Electoral Commission reserves the sole right to register people for voting purposes and there is no requirement that stipulates that only persons registered with the NIA will be allowed to vote."

It said NIA was a permanent body and was in the process of opening regional offices this year to register persons who were unable to do so during the mass registration phase.

It assured the public that everybody would eventually be registered under the system and advised the public that it is not necessary for people to stand in long queues for hours to register.