The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has reported non-adherence to Coronavirus safety protocols by political parties in the country.
According to CODEO, reports from its recent survey showed that “COVID-19 health and safety protocols were not adhered to during some political party activities.”
The report comes as Ghana Coronavirus Cases are rising sharply, with daily infections increasing from 25 to 130.
The second pre-election observation report was signed by Albert Arhin, National Coordinator, CODEO.
The report captures key observations of the pre-election environment during the month of October 2020, ahead of the December 7, 2020 presidential and parliamentary
elections of Ghana.
The report is based on weekly reports filed by 65 Long-Term Observers (LTOs) deployed across 65 selected constituencies throughout the country.
The observers have been monitoring the general electoral and political environment including the activities of key election stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission (EC), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), political parties, the security agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and religious and traditional leaders. Below are key findings from CODEO’s observation during
the period, the report said.
Summary of Findings:
• Similar to CODEO’s observations in the month of September 2020, civic and voter education activities were generally low across the various constituencies.
• There continues to be generally low visibility of election support activities by CSOs,
particularly those aimed at peace promotion.
• The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) remain the
most visible political parties in the constituencies observed as far as political and campaignrelated activities are concerned.
Main Findings
Preparatory Activities by the Electoral Commission Observer reports showed intensified preparatory activities by the EC towards the December 7, 2020 elections.
Activities observed to have been undertaken by the EC include the exhibition of the voter register at district offices of the EC (for participants in the extended voter registration exercise1), recruitment/training of election staff, nomination of candidates, and transfer of
votes/receipt of applications for proxy voting, the report said.
During the votes transfer exercise, which was carried out by the Commission from October 20-23, 2020, observer reports showed a generally peaceful exercise across the constituencies observed, it said.
However, there were a few cases of disturbances at some centers during the exercise. For instance, there was tension between party agents at the Builsa South constituency in the Upper East region.
By Melvin Tarlue