One of the collation centres
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has commended the Ghana Police Service (GPS) and the Electoral Commission (EC) for ensuring a largely peaceful by-election which occurred at the Assin North Constituency on June 27, 2023.
A report released by CODEO acknowledged that the conduct of the poll was consistent with the general rules and regulations which were adhered to by the polling officials.
It further added that, there were no shortage of materials and the biometric verification devices functioned well to a very large extent without any significant disruptions to the polls in any of the observed polling stations.
The report stated that CODEO trained and deployed 15 observers who were classified in two categories to observe polling day proceedings in the Assin North Constituency by-election.
The report further highlighted that among the observers were stationary observers who were stationed at sampled polling stations and observed proceedings from the start of polls to the end of closing, counting and declaration of results at assigned polling stations.
Simultaneously, there were some roaming observers who roamed or visited several polling stations throughout the day in the constituency.
The report stated that as part of their role, the observers impartially observed the process using CODEO’s observation checklist and incident forms.
CODEO however condemned the violent incident which occurred in the constituency and nearly blotted the elections.
“On this note, the Coalition calls on the Ghana Police Service to urgently investigate the incident and prosecute all persons found culpable to serve as a deterrent,” the statement signed by Albert Kofi Arhin, National Coordinator CODEO, stated.
By Abigail Atinuke Seyram Adeyemi