CODEO organises workshop for election observers

Kumasi, Oct 09, GNA - Prof Miranda Greenstreet, Co-chairperson of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), has asked members of the coalition who will be appointed to observe the 2004 general elections to desist from acts that could bring the image and reputation of the organisation into disrepute.

She said CODEO election observers should strive to promote its image as a non-partisan and independent civil society organisation interested in ensuring that the elections were conducted in free and transparent manner.

Prof Greenstreet made the call at the opening of a two-day national training of trainers workshop for 2004 CODEO election observers in Kumasi on Saturday.

Fifty-four participants from CODEO member organisations from all the 10 regions are attending the workshop that is being organised by CODEO and the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD) with support from USAID and the Fredrich Neumann Foundation.

Prof Greenstreet said the electorate should not perceive CODEO election observers as belonging to a particular party.

Prof E. Gyimah-Boadi, Executive Director of CDD, said civil society election observation was an affirmation of democratic participation and part of the quest for electoral transparency, fairness and the credibility of the electoral outcomes.

He said it was also a healthy sign of Ghana's growing maturity as a democratic nation to develop an increasing capacity to oversee its own elections.

Mr John Larvie, CDD Election Observer Project Co-ordinator, said the civil society was much interested in the integrity of the electoral process.

He advised the election observers not to meddle in the elections but observe and draw attention to areas where they thought something had gone wrong in the process.