Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has enjoined the Electoral Commission (EC) to correct anomalies recorded during the just ended district level elections to avoid similar occurrences in the 2016 general election.
Professor Miranda Greenstreet, Co-Chair of CODEO, told journalists on Monday that actions of the EC needs re-examination as the district level elections recorded low-voter turnout and registered pockets of incidence.
“CODEO entreats the EC to review its performance on Election Day, and take a critical look at the few challenges recorded during polling.
“Particularly those relating to arrival of polling officials, setting up of polls and the malfunctioning of biometric devices, to prevent similar occurrences in the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections,” she said.
Prof Greenstreet, however, said in spite of low voter-out and other incidents, CODEO observed that the conduct of the elections was consistent with the country’s electoral laws and that the arrangements were adequate.
She noted that the consistent apathy shown in the district level elections has implications for grassroots participation and inclusive development and called for all-inclusive actions to rekindle voter interest.
“CODEO believes that the current system for the district elections is not working well and the country does not seem to be reaping the full benefits of the huge resources pumped into the elections.
“There is the need to do a holistic assessment to find out the reasons for the low patronage and advance solutions to the problem,” she added.
