The Coalition for Domestic Elections Observers (CODEO) has intensified its preparation for the December polls by coming out with its activities.
The four intervention activities, which were made known to the public at a forum held at the International Conference Centre yesterday, are expected to assist CODEO to monitor the 2016 polls to ensure free, fair and credible elections.
Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe, Joint Co-chair of the Coalition, who presented the intervention activities under the theme: ‘Civil Society Advocacy and Support For Credible 2016 Elections – A CODEO Project,’ explained that “for the 2016 elections and as we have done in past elections, CODEO is implementing four inter-related comprehensive interventions.”
The activities, they mentioned include “advocacy for the implementation of electoral reforms, domestic election observation, implementation of a parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT), promotion of Civic/Voter Education at District Levels.”
“As always, CODEO’s four inter-related activities will be implemented in all the three phases of the election cycle. These support activities are grouped as follows: pre-election phase, election-day phase and post-election phase, the co-chair of CODEO indicated.
Under the pre-election phase of the intervention activities, DAILY GUIDE gathered that CODEO shall undertake an advocacy for the implementation of electoral reforms accepted by the Electoral Commission (EC) which will provide constructive advocacy towards inclusive and credible implementation of the electoral reforms.
Also under the election phase, CODEO indicated that it shall on December 7, 2016 try to deploy 4,000 EC accredited stationary observers at statistically sampled polling stations throughout the country.
“These highly trained CODEO observers will observe and report using SMS technology, the set up of polling stations, voting procedures, close of polls, counting and also on any incidents that may occur at polling stations,” according to Prof. Greenstreet and Justice V.C.R.A.C Crabbe.
“Just as we did for 2008 and 2012 polls, CODEO will implement a PVT for the 2016 presidential polls. The Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) is an advanced election observation methodology. It involves deploying trained and accredited non-partisan observers to a nationally representative sample of polling stations,” they added.
“The final phase of CODEO’s 2016 election observation project will be the post-election phase after the final declaration of results has been made by the EC.
“CODEO will continue to update the public on what is happening in the post-election environment. The focus will be on observing all actions and inactions of political parties, post-election adjudication process, if any and the general political and post-election environment.
According to them, “CODEO will mobilize its member organizations to undertake several support activities spanning all the three phases- pre, during and post- of the electoral cycle with the broad objective of contributing to an inclusive electoral process, a transparent, credible and peaceful elections outcome.
“CODEO hopes that this comprehensive programme of activities to be implemented in all the three phases of the electoral cycle will contribute and complement the efforts of key election stakeholders, particularly the EC, in ensuring peaceful and credible electoral outcomes.
EC tasked
Meanwhile, CODEO has urged the Electoral Commission to continue to work to enhance its public image, trust and credibility by adopting transparency, inclusiveness, accountability and proactive communication in its work.
“CODEO has taken note of the favourable citizens view of the EC in the recent CDD-Ghana pre-election where 60% of respondents applauded the EC for its performance during the limited voter registration exercise and where 63% believe that the EC performs its duties as ‘neutral body guided by law.
“The EC should be guided by these favourable ratings to strive to scale up its performance come December 7, 2016,” CODEO said.
CODEO added that “however, the survey also showed that some Ghanaians are skeptical about the credibility of the vote count process with 46% reporting that they do not believe the accurate results will be announced.
“We encourage the EC to intensify public education on the national vote tabulation process, particularly the electronic transmission of results to educate such people.”
By Melvin Tarlue