The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has described Ghana’s 2024 general elections as credible, despite reporting 228 incidents, including vote buying, intimidation and violence during the December 7 polls.
Notable disruptions occurred in constituencies such as Awutu Senya East and Obuasi East, where observers reported assaults on officials and damage to electoral materials.
CODEO also flagged voter inducement as a significant concern, describing it as a practice that undermines the free expression of voter choice.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Co-Chair of CODEO, Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe, commended the generally peaceful conduct of the elections, while expressing concern about voter inducement and isolated disruptions.
“We can confidently say that the overall credibility of the election process remains intact,” he stated, adding that the coalition deployed 4,000 trained and accredited observers across the country’s 276 constituencies to ensure transparent electoral procedures.
Key Findings
CODEO’s use of a Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology allowed 1,500 observers to monitor a representative sample of polling stations. Initial findings highlighted both successes and challenges during the election process.
Polling Station Setup and Opening:
While 85% of polling stations had officials present at 6:00 AM, only 66% opened on time, with delays attributed to late-arriving materials or staff.
The majority (98%) were set up to ensure voter privacy, but 6% were deemed inaccessible to persons with disabilities and older voters.
Voting Process:
Biometric verification devices functioned effectively in 87% of polling stations, though they experienced malfunctions in 13% of cases, which were later resolved.
Vulnerable groups, including the elderly and persons with disabilities, were prioritised at 98% of polling stations.
He added that counting was orderly in 98% of polling stations, with no reported harassment of officials or observers.
Political party agents were present at nearly all polling stations and results were visibly posted in 89% of locations.
Rev. Dr. Deegbe applauded the efforts of the Electoral Commission, political parties, security agencies, and international observers in ensuring a credible election process.
However, he urged stakeholders to address voter inducement and ensure inclusivity in future elections.
“While the election was conducted in line with Ghana’s electoral laws, we must tackle these recurring issues to safeguard the integrity of our democratic process,” he emphasised.
CODEO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Ghana’s democracy and thanked its Observers and international partners for their critical role in the electoral process.
CODEO reports over 60 incidents on Election Day
Earlier on the voting day, CODEO had reported a series of irregularities and incidents at polling stations across the country.
Speaking at a press briefing held at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra today, CODEO Co-Chair Rev.
Dr. Fred Deegbe disclosed that confirmed incidents included intimidation or harassment (14), violence (13), violations of voting procedures (8), vote-buying or bribery (3) and various other incidents (26).
Among the notable cases were faulty equipment at the CMB Polling Station in Npunpunase, Tano South Constituency, Ahafo Region, a faulty validating stamp for parliamentary ballots halted voting for approximately one hour and 40 minutes.
Delayed Ballots at the South Tongu Constituency, Volta Region, the D.A. Primary School Tuanikofe polling station opened late at 10:50 AM due to a delay in the delivery of parliamentary ballot papers.
Voter Intimidation at Nkunzesi Primary School in Nabdam, Upper East Region, party agents from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) were seen instructing voters on their choices, leading to altercations among voters.
Ballot tampering suspicion at Brekuso Day Care Center in Akuapem South in the Eastern Region, where a voter was caught videotaping his marked ballot paper, raising concerns over ballot secrecy.
Technical failure at Nungua Polling Station 1, Greater Accra region, where verification machine failures were experienced for two hours, forcing officials to ask voters to go home and return later.
At the Papty School in Anyaa Sowutuom, discrepancies were discovered in ballot booklets, with pages containing inconsistent numbers of ballots (98–101). Additionally, at Ledzokuku, Greater Accra, rain damaged sensitive electoral materials stored outside.
Rev. Dr. Deegbe acknowledged the logistical challenges that delayed the opening of some polling stations but commended the Electoral Commission (EC) for acting promptly to address the issues.
Despite the initial setbacks, he noted that voting had resumed in a relatively smooth manner in most affected areas.
Rev. Deegbe urged the public to remain calm and participate in the democratic process. “We encourage all eligible voters to exercise their right to vote peacefully if they have not already done so,” Rev. Dr. Dogbe emphasised.
He reaffirmed the observers’ commitment to monitoring the elections and providing timely updates on developments.
