Accra, Ghana//-The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), a leading independent and non-partisan network of civil society groups, faith-based organisations and professional bodies which observe Ghanaian elections, has called political parties and their aspirants to use the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC) to resolve issues emanating from the just-ended voter register exhibition exercise.
This is contained in the Coalition’s voter register exhibition observation report issued and signed by the venerable Albert Kofi Arhin, CODEO National Coordinator, on September 16, 2024.
The report also called on all stakeholders to continue to use the IPAC platform to resolve all grievances and entreated the EC to effectively and transparently address the concerns of all stakeholders to boost their confidence and trust in the voter register.
The CODEO, according to the report, had taken note of reports regarding the illegal transfer of voters and the resulting call by the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for a forensic audit of the register and the responses from the EC.
The utility exhibition exercise is meant to expose and correct discrepancies, inaccuracies, and any issues with the register.
This is the reason all stakeholders are encouraged to take the exhibition seriously, including the political parties, aspiring candidates, and the public. IPAC has always offered a good platform for engaging substantively and pragmatically to resolve these matters, it stated.
CODEO’s observation of the 2024 Voters Register Exhibition Exercise also highlighted a generally well-organized process at the exhibition centres by officials of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, with most centres opening on time and providing necessary guidance to voters.
However, the limited presence of party agents at exhibition centres and other minor issues demand attention to ensure a more comprehensive and credible process.
On the low representation of party agents at the exhibition centres, the Coalition called on all political parties to improve the deployment of party agents to subsequent voter exhibition exercises as it provides the opportunity for their grievances to be addressed, thereby boosting confidence and trust in the voters’ register.
On the inconsistent communication of the right of challenge to voters, the Electoral Commission should prioritise training and supervision of officials at exhibition centres to consistently provide clear instructions to registered voters on making claims and objections on the voters’ register. This is critical for maintaining the accuracy of the voter register and ensuring that all eligible voters can correct errors or raise concerns about the register, the report noted.
Looking ahead, CODEO also urged the EC to intensify public awareness on future exhibition exercises to rid the register of ineligible persons such as deceased individuals and other unqualified individuals. CODEO will encourage the EC to have a focal person communication specialist to improve consistency and coordination in its engagement with the public as we enter the busy period of the elections.
CODEO will continue to monitor electoral processes and provide recommendations to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of electoral activities in Ghana, the report said.
As part of its mandate to mobilise citizens of Ghana to participate in the electoral process actively and to complement the efforts of Ghana’s Electoral Commission (EC) in ensuring transparent, free, fair, and peaceful elections, the Coalition trained and deployed 45 independent, non-partisan observers to 45 purposefully selected constituencies to observe the voter exhibition exercise which began from August 20, 2024, to August 27, 2024.
These observers observed three out of the seven days the EC used for the exercise. During this period, CODEO observers visited a total of 405 exhibition centres in 45 constituencies in eight regions to observe various aspects of the exhibition process, including arrival, setup, exhibition and closing stages of the exhibition exercise.
This report highlighted CODEO’s voter exhibition observation findings relating to the exhibition exercise and recommendation, as well as comments on significant post-exhibition issues.
Arrival, Set-up and Commencement of voters register exhibition exercise.
- All centres visited by CODEO observers granted full permission for observation of the voter exhibition process.
- The exhibition exercise commenced early, before or slightly after the official 7:00 AM start time, at most of the centres observed by CODEO. Our observation revealed that the majority of the exhibition centres (74%) commenced the exhibition between 6:45 AM and 7:30 AM. An additional 23% began between 7:30 and 10:00 AM, 2% opened before 6:45 AM, and 1% of centres opened after 10:00 AM. Notably, no centres visited by CODEO observers failed to open for exhibition.
- A vast majority (95%) of the exhibition centres were physically accessible to persons with disabilities and the elderly. However, 5% of centres were not disability-friendly.
- CODEO observers confirmed the availability of essential materials for the exhibition exercise at all centres observed. These include the Provisional Voters Register, Objection Forms, Correction Forms, and Inclusion Forms.
Representation of Political Party Agents and Uniformed Security Personnel at Exhibition Centers
- CODEO observers also noted the minimal presence of party agents at exhibition centres visited for the two most dominant political parties in Ghana, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
For instance, party agents from the NDC were seen at only 15% of the centres visited by CODEO observers, while agents from the NPP were present at just about 10% of the exhibition centres observed. No agents were observed for any other party.
- There was, however, a visible presence of uniformed security personnel at exhibition centres. Observers sighted personnel at most (80%) exhibition centres visited a situation which fostered a sense of order and safety.
Voters Register Exhibition Process
- At 80% of the centres visited by CODEO observers, the EC officials provided instructions to registered voters on how to verify their details on the register, ensuring a smooth exhibition process.
- During the voter exhibition exercise, our observers reported inconsistencies in the provision of instructions by EC officials regarding how registered voters could make claims or objections to the voter register. While many centres ensured that voters were informed about the process, several centres did not consistently offer such guidance to voters.
- All centres allowed registered voters to check their names on the register, demonstrating transparency and inclusivity. At all the centres visited by CODEO observers, there were no reported incidents of harassment or intimidation directed at EC officials, party agents, observers, or registered voters during the exhibition exercise.
