The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on stakeholders in Ghana’s upcoming December 7 elections to strengthen efforts in voter education, curb vote-buying, address the abuse of incumbency, and promote issue-based campaigns.
In its 2nd Pre-Election Observation Report, CODEO revealed key insights from observations conducted across 97 constituencies between October 26 and November 8, 2024.
While the political atmosphere remains generally peaceful, the coalition emphasized the urgent need for electoral stakeholders to act decisively in maintaining integrity and fairness throughout the electoral process.
Vote-buying and Campaign Incentives
The report revealed alarming incidents of vote-buying, with 10% of observations citing the exchange of money or valuables to sway voters in constituencies across the Ashanti, Savannah, and Western regions.
Additionally, campaign events by the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC), and some independent candidates featured free transportation and treats like food and drinks to attract attendees. Such practices, CODEO warned, threaten the fairness of the electoral process.
Abuse of Incumbency
Instances of incumbency abuse were also flagged. Notably, in the Tatale-Sanguli constituency of the Northern Region, state resources, including public vehicles and earth-moving equipment from the government’s District Road Improvement Program (DRIP), were reportedly branded with campaign materials of the NPP parliamentary candidate. CODEO described such actions as undermining a level playing field for all candidates and urged enforcement of laws prohibiting these practices.
Civic and Voter Education Still Lags
Although the Electoral Commission (EC) has increased its voter education efforts, the outreach remains insufficient. Observers noted civic engagement activities in only 26% of constituencies, a modest improvement from 12% in the initial report. CODEO emphasized the need for widespread voter education using varied media such as community radio, posters, and peace rallies to ensure an informed electorate.
Campaign Messages and Political Climate
The NPP and NDC continue to dominate the campaign scene, focusing on key issues such as education, unemployment, the economy, and corruption. While campaigns remain largely peaceful and issue-based, CODEO observed limited participation by smaller political parties, raising concerns about inclusivity in Ghana’s democratic process.
Call to Action
CODEO has urged the Electoral Commission, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), media, and civil society organizations to ramp up civic education efforts. It also called on political parties to maintain peaceful, issue-driven campaigns. Law enforcement agencies have been tasked to enforce laws against vote-buying and misuse of public resources to safeguard the elections’ integrity.
With just weeks to go, CODEO’s observations serve as a critical reminder that democracy thrives on transparency, fairness, and informed participation. The onus now lies on all stakeholders to address these concerns and ensure a credible electoral process.
Below is the full statement
Source:Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.com.gh
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