CDD PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PRE-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT FOR SEPTEMBER 2006 – DISTRICT LEVEL ELECTIONS

Mounting of Platform Introduction The Ghana Center for Democratic Development, CDD-Ghana, is pleased to present its third report on the pre-election environment as captured by our monitors located in all the ten regions of the country. This report covers the Electoral Commission (EC) platform mounting for candidates contesting the 2006 district assembly and unit committee elections and other related issues. The platforms offered both candidates and voters in the communities the opportunity to interact. The general campaign message of candidates included promises to improve sanitation, education, security, youth development and empowerment of women. Female candidates and candidates with disabilities also had equal opportunities to present their programs to voters.

Organization of the platforms Generally the EC sponsored and moderated the platforms very well. However, reports indicate that in some electoral areas candidates had to support the EC with financial and other resources such as public address systems, chairs, tables etc to ensure that the events did not fail. In addition non-governmental organizations such as Ibis and the GAIT sponsored the platforms in selected districts to promote the candidature of women and persons with disabilities. Some local FM radio stations in Tamale also organized panel discussion programs for women candidates.

Turn Out Patronage of the platforms was poor at the beginning of the exercise with monitors reporting an average audience of only 30 people. Interest and enthusiasm however picked up among both the electorate and candidates half way through the program when platforms recorded between 200 and 400 audiences. The turnout was heaviest in parts of Ashanti, Upper East and Greater Accra regions.

Candidates’ Programs Manifestoes delivered by candidates were generally focused on community sanitation, education and youth employment projects. Other development issues included construction of school buildings, markets and boreholes. The more ambitious candidates promised to build roads and bridges. At question time the electorate demanded to know how the candidates intended to finance the many projects promised. Whilst some candidates promised to put pressure on their district assemblies to realize the projects others said they would lobby international NGOs and foreign embassies to provide the resources.

Women Participation Reports indicate that female candidates performed well on platforms in many electoral areas particularly in the Central, Western, Volta, Northern, Upper East and West Regions. With financial support from the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs and the GAIT project female candidates were able to organize effective campaigns not only on the platforms but also in the mass media and in house-to-house encounters

Participation of Candidates with Disabilities According to CDD monitors candidates with disabilities did not encounter any hindrance whatsoever on the platforms. Although disability issues did not feature prominently in all platforms monitored, disabled candidates were up to the task and performed creditably in the delivery of their campaign messages on the platforms to the admiration of voters.

Partisan Influence The platform mounting was generally devoid of visible partisan interference. However a few cases of political party support for and/or intimidation of candidates have been reported.

Incidents The EC platform moderators were generally able to contain incidents of intimidation and harassment but reports from a number of electoral areas also indicated that some platforms were suspended or brought to an abrupt end as a result of confrontation from rival candidate supporters. Some of the areas where the platforms got into trouble included the Kinka Electoral area in Accra; the Sagabo Electoral area in Bawku; Adukrom Electoral area in the Asawase constituency and Amanful West Electoral area in Cape Coast.

Other observations CDD monitors are also observing the implementation of the court order on the EC to empty and use the ballot boxes carrying the 2004 presidential ballot papers. Reports so far indicate a lack of uniformity in this exercise. While some districts are duly complying others are yet to start.

Conclusion and Recommendation From the reports received the platform stage of the electoral process towards the 2006 district level elections has demonstrated a marked improvement in civic education and awareness creation towards electoral activities. Candidates have demonstrated enthusiasm and keen political competitiveness on the campaign platforms; the electorate also patronized the platforms to query the candidates on their plans if elected.

The Center commends the EC moderators for the professional competence with which they handled proceedings of the platforms and the sustained civic education. Even though partisan influence was not visibly widespread, the few instances of political party interference are worrying. In order to maintain the non-partisan flavor of the local election, the Center recommends the adoption of clear guidelines on what constitutes partisan influence. While commending the EC and NCCE for a job well done, the Center also recommends that civic education should also aim at minimizing the antagonism that characterizes electoral campaigns in the country.

John Larvie …Sgd……………………………………….. Senior Programs Officer CDD-Ghana Issued on Tuesday, September 19, 2006