The Coalition of Domestic Elections Observers (CODEO) has asked the Electoral Commission, Ghana (EC) to as a matter urgency deal with all the challenges with the newly compiled voter register and submit to the political parties way in advance before the elections day of Monday, December 7.
CODEO in its report on the registration exercise condemned all reported acts of violence which took place during the period of observation.
The Coalition reiterates its call on the security agencies to take appropriate action against all perpetrators of violence.
“CODEO reminds the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of the need to share updates with the public on the progress of all cases of election-related violence as failure to ensure people are punished for their crimes will further erode public confidence and encourage impunity.
“The Coalition cautions all stakeholders to be mindful of all the necessary COVID-19 health and safety protocols to help minimize the potential spread of the virus.
“CODEO entreats CSOs and all election related stakeholders to intensify their election support activities across the country, particularly in the area of violence monitoring and peace promotion, and educating the citizenry on their civic rights, duties and responsibilities to compliment the work of the NCCE and the EC.
“CODEO urges the EC and NCCE not to limit their civic/voter education to the traditional media, particularly radio, but also take advantage of community meeting platforms, street announcement and other forms/modes of educating the public. These must however be done with the necessary arrangements for ensuring the observation of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
“CODEO entreats the EC to take all necessary steps to rectify the identified challenges with the provisional voter register so that all registered voters are able to exercise their right to vote. While the Coalition acknowledges the public explanations provided by the EC regarding the challenges identified with the provisional voter register, the Coalition believes there are still gaps in stakeholder engagement and communication.
“The Coalition therefore entreats the EC to enhance stakeholder engagement, not just around the voter register but on the entire electoral process to help mobilize public support and promote transparency and inclusion towards achieving a free, fair and credible electoral process,” the report stated.
It added: “The Coalition also entreats the EC to make the updated provisional voter register available to political parties as early as possible to allow for the cross-checking of figures in the bid to promote trust and further ensure that all identified challenges have been rectified before the voter register is certified. The EC is also entreated to provide clear information on results of the Adjudication Review Committee’s work.
“CODEO assures the public that it will continue to observe the pre-election environment and duly share its findings with the public on a monthly basis. CODEO’s long-term observation is made possible with the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).”
By Laud Nartey|3news.com|Ghana