CODEO

Final Report on GHANA’S 2008 PRESIDENTIAL AND PALIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Under the auspices of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana),

the Coalition ofDomestic ElectionObservers (CODEO), once again,mounted a nationwide

observation of Ghana’s 2008 general elections. CODEO undertook a nine-month

pre-election observation from March to November 2008 deploying sixty (60) trained

pre-election observers to fifty-six (56) strategically selected constituencies across the

country. CODEO also deployed over 4,000 Election-Day observers for the December 7

presidential and parliamentary elections and the December 28 presidential runoff

election. On January 2, 2009, CODEO observed the residual presidential run-off at the

Tain constituency of the Brong Ahafo region. In addition to its traditional election

watch methodology, CODEO, for the first time, conducted parallel vote tabulation

(PVT) of the presidential election in the December 7 and December 28 elections.

CODEO’s 2008 election activities were funded by the United States Agency for

International Development (USAID). The National Democratic Institute (NDI) of the

USA provided technical assistance and funding to CODEO for the PVT exercise. The

British High Commission supported CODEO’s observation of the January 2, 2009 Tain

constituency presidential run-off.

Click on this link to download the report.

 

 

 

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CODEO Projects Very Close Election and Calls on All Parties to Remain Calm

1) CODEO observers reported a higher number of problems and lapses in the December 28 runoff election than the presidential and general elections of December 7. Two main factors account for that: the extremely high stakes nature of the presidential runoff election in which only one party could win; and the short time available for the Electoral Commission to organize the second round.

2) CODEO has analyzed information from the parallel vote tabulation (PVT) exercise gathered by its rapid response observers (RROs). Data from its representative random sample of more than 1,000 polling stations from 229 constituencies indicate that the election results are extremely close and the results are likely to be decided by less than a percentage point.

As with the presidential and general elections of December 7, CODEO observers reported many lapses in the voting process in the presidential runoff election of December 28, including setting up and opening of polling stations, voting and vote counting. However, the problems reported by CODEO observers do not fundamentally undermine the integrity of the overall process.

RECOMMENDATIONS

3) To ensure that all Ghanaians are able to exercise their right to vote and the results of the presidential election reflect the will of the people, the Electoral Commission must immediately conduct elections at all the polling stations in the Tain constituency in Brong Ahafo where voting did not take place on 28 December. Ideally, this must occur before the EC officially announces the results-since the country as a whole is one constituency for the presidential election.

4) The Electoral Commission must swiftly and decisively resolve the concerns raised by political contestants concerning the conduct of the presidential runoff election. Any recounts or re-collations should be conducted without delay.

5) CODEO calls upon the Electoral Commission to do its best to issue polling station results along with the overall results to ensure that the official results of this highly competitive election are accepted by all parties, their supporters as well as the general public. While the Electoral Commission is not required to take such a step, the release of polling stations results would significantly reduce post election tensions while reinforcing confidence in the Electoral Commission’s impartiality.

6) We call on Ghanaians, including leaders of political parties and their supporters, to continue to place confidence in the Electoral Commission.

7) Above all, we encourage the two presidential candidates and their respective political parties to accept the official results. We encourage the victors to be magnanimous. The president-elect when sworn in will be president of all Ghanaians during the coming four years and must therefore move quickly beyond the partisan politics of the electoral cycle to earn the support of all Ghanaians.

Signed:

Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe,

Joint Chairpersons

(For and on Behalf of the Advisory Board)

CODEO Secretariat, Sunday, December 29 2008, 1:30pm

For more information, please contact any of the following telephone numbers: 0243387094; 0244692301; 0243661350; 0244665065

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PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON GHANA’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RUN-OFF HELD ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28 2008

INTRODUCTION

On Sunday, December 28, 2008, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), which comprises thirty-four (34) professional, religious and civic advocacy bodies (including the Christian Council of Ghana, the Federation of Muslim Councils, the Ghana National Association of Teachers, the Trade Union Congress, and the Ghana Federation of the Disabled), deployed about   4000 trained and accredited non-partisan domestic election observers throughout the country. Among the 4000 observers were over 1000 Rapid Response Observers (RROs) deployed to a nationally representative sample of polling stations in all the 230 constituencies.

This preliminary statement reflects CODEO’s observations on the conduct of the presidential run-off election. It incorporates some of the observations noted in the two statements issued by CODEO on the election-day regarding the setting-up, opening and closing of polls and the overall voting process on Sunday, December 28 and on Monday, December 29, 2008 respectively.

CODEO has received reports from nearly all (99%) of its RROs (with the exception of observers deployed to the Tain constituency (in the Brong-Ahafo region), which did not participate in the polls on December 28. This report also contains data received from some of our regular observers as well as reports filed by CODEO Regional Coordinators (RCs) and Constituency Observers (CSs).

SUMMARY OF OBSERVATION

Preliminary analysis of reports filed by CODEO observers suggest that the December 28 2008 presidential run-off was conducted largely in accordance with the electoral laws of Ghana and relatively few problems and lapses were encountered in the set up and opening of polls.  However, there was relatively more intimidation and violence in the voting process this time around.

POLLING PROCESS OBSERVATION

CODEO observers were permitted to observe the setting-up and the polling process in nearly all polling stations (99%). Nearly all of CODEO observers (98%) had reported to their assigned polling stations by 7am. And most of the polling officials had reported at the polling stations at the time of the arrival of CODEO observers. 

Setting Up and Opening of Polling Stations

• On the whole, the set-up of polling stations and opening of polls was significantly improved, compared to December 7 polls. Relatively few problems and lapses in procedure were recorded by our observers. Unlike on December 7 when about a third of the polling stations did not open on time (i.e. 7am), majority of the polling stations (79%) opened at about 7am. In the few places where opening of stations was late, voting often started before 9am. 

• EC officials were able to transport election materials to polling stations in a timely manner. All election materials were present at the time of setting-up in the vast majority of polling stations (97%). There was a sufficient number of presidential ballot papers in most polling stations. 

• The agents of the two contesting parties in the run-off (the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC)) were well represented at the polling stations (97% for the NPP and 99% for the NDC). 

• Uniformed security was present at most polling stations (86%). This compares with 88% in the December 7 polls. CODEO observers also noted the presence of mobile security forces who tended to respond to reported incidents promptly. In the Northern region, however, uniformed security personnel were less visible at polling stations (3 out of 10 polling stations). 

• Nearly all polling stations (98%) observed were set up so voters could mark their ballots in secrecy. About 98% of polling stations were accessible to persons with disability and the elderly which was an improvement on the December 7 figure of 95%. Also, ballot boxes were shown to be empty, sealed and placed in the public view at polling stations. 

Voting Process

EC officials largely adhered to the rules governing voting, although our observers reported some disorder and disruptions in the process. Reports filed by our observers generally indicated the following: 

• Voters with valid voter IDs cards were permitted to vote in most polling stations (83%). In 88% of the polling stations voters had their names checked in the voters’ register before being allowed to cast their ballot. 

• In a few polling stations (5%) voters were allowed to vote without voter ID cards. This particular incident was recorded in all the ten regions, with the most coming from Western, Volta, Central, Ashanti and Eastern regions. This represented a marginal increase from December 7 (4%). While this is permissible under EC regulations, CODEO was unable to confirm whether the right procedure was followed by the polling officials by allowing these voters to cast their ballots. 

• CODEO observers reported few cases (69%) of disabled and elderly voters being assisted to vote. 

• In most polling stations (98%), voters had their finger marked with the indelible ink before they cast their ballot.  However, our mobile observers recorded instances in the Volta Region where the indelible ink was applied to the left finger after voting. 

• There were few instances (3%) where ballot papers were not validated before being handed to voters.  

• There were fewer voters (10%) waiting in queues to cast their ballot at the official close of polls (compared to December 7 when it was close to 30%). In 89% of polling stations there were no queues by the time voting officially ended.  

Counting and Collation of Votes

• Counting and collation of ballots were generally orderly. In most cases the number of ballot papers tallied with the number of votes cast. 

• Party agents requested ballot recount in nearly 1 in 10 of the polling stations observed (9%).  

• Party agents refused to sign declaration forms in 5% of the polling stations observed by CODEO 

• In nearly all instances (99%) CODEO observers (99%) agreed with the vote count in the polling stations where they were deployed. 

Voting Irregularities and Incidents

In general, the presidential run-off recorded relatively more incidents of voting irregularities in the run-off  than the December 7 elections. Whereas 134 cases of incidents were reported in the December 7 election, the run-off had 201 cases. This was most pronounced in Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Ashanti regions, which witnessed increases in reported number of incidents (i.e. +42, +38 and +35 respectively). The number of incidents The Western and Central regions recorded dramatic reduction in incidents (see Table 1). 

Table 1: Cumulative Number of Reported Incidents (Run-off and Dec. 7 Compared)
	DEC. 7 Election	DEC. 28 Run-off	Difference
Brong Ahafo	11	53	+42
Eastern	10	48	+38
Ashanti	8	43	+35
Central	22	12	-10
Greater Accra	17	15	-2
Northern	15	6	-9
Upper East	15	9	-6
Upper West	3	2	-1
Volta	12	8	-4
Western	21	5	-16
Total	134	201	67
Note: The difference is the reported number of incidents on December 7 less the Run-off figures.

• CODEO Constituency Supervisors, Regional Coordinators and roving  observers reported incidents of f unauthorized road blocks mounted and  on-the-spot checks conducted on vehicles and persons by militant  vigilante groups in parts of Anloga and Ave Avenor constituencies in the Volta region.. In some instances, the mob prevented ‘so called’ strangers from entering the constituency and/or polling stations ostensibly to counteract the rumoured presence of ‘macho men’ allegedly roaming  around the area to snatch ballot boxes.  At Anloga observers encountered a mob of local vigilantes confronting the police and preventing access to the police station. The Police told the observers that NPP agents have sought refugee at the Police station after a couple of their colleagues had been beaten up. 

• Majority of the incidents reported by our observers (39 cases) occurred in the course of the setting up of polling stations (a marginal reduction from the 42 cases reported during December 7 elections). The incidents at the set up were mainly related to missing election materials such as ballot boxes, ballot papers, voters’ register, indelible ink, voting screen, validating stamp, endorsing ink and ink pad. Most of these problems occurred in parts of Brong Ahafo, Eastern, Ashanti, Upper East and Volta regions. Almost all of these problems, according to our observers, were resolved before voting commenced. 

• Our observers also reported 30 cases of disorder at polling stations compared to 7 cases on December 7. These incidents occurred mainly in parts of Eastern, Ashanti, Central, Volta and Greater Accra regions. Such incidents might explain the increase in cases of suspended voting from 7 in the December 7 polls to 11 in the run-off.  Indeed, the reported cases of suspended voting occurred mainly in parts of these same regions. For instance, suspension of polls was reported in parts of Ashanti (Temp Booth Freeman Hotel polling station in Asokwa constituency), Central (Methodist Church/Town Saltpond polling station in the Mfantseman West constituency, CPB Amantsiaa Abaasa polling station in the Ajumako/Enyan/Esiam constituency), Eastern (L A JSS Anyankode Awukugua polling station in the Okere constituency) and Greater Accra (Oblogo in Weija constituency). Such incidents were also reported in Wli-Agorviefe and Wli-Afegave polling stations in the Hohoe constituency in the Volta region. 

• Our observers reported that voting never took place in the Tain constituency in Brong Ahafo because there were shortages in materials distributed to polling stations in the constituency and agents of both parties opposed EC’s proposal to do a recall and redistribution. 

• Once again, voters in Temp Booth Chalator polling station in Kpandai constituency in the Northern region refused to vote just as they did on December 7. 

• Incidents of intimidation and harassment also increased from 5 cases during December 7 elections to 18 in the run-off. Similarly, the number of cases of violence went up from 4 during December 7 elections to 18 in the run-off. Perhaps, the two types of incidents are linked since Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions reported high number of cases of both. CODEO RROs were not present at the places in Volta Region where similar anecdotal reports of such incidents have come out 

• There was no significant change in the reported number of cases of violation of voting procedures (6 cases in the run-off and 5 cases during December 7). Most of the reports relating to this incident are from parts of Ashanti and Northern regions.  However, our roving observers reported a few cases in the Volta Region where the indelible ink was applied post voting) 

• CODEO observers reported a few cases of ineligible voters being allowed to vote; disenfranchising of qualified  voters; ballot boxes not shown to be empty and sealed; stealing of ballot boxes; polling officials being suspected to be partisan; stuffing of ballot boxes; and other incidents such attempted multiple voting, some party agents leaving polling stations with explanation, some individuals claiming to be party agents yet not having accreditation and disagreements between party agents and electoral officials (see Figure 1). 

Figure 1: Minor Incidents Reported by Observers (Run-off and Dec. 7 Compared)

 

PARALLEL VOTE TABULATION (PVT)

As part of its overall effort to observe the 2008 elections, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) conducted Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) in the December 7 and 28, 2008 Elections. CODEO deployed trained accredited Rapid Response Observers (RROs) to randomly selected nationally representative sample of over 1000 polling stations from the official list of polling stations provided by the Electoral Commission (EC). For good representation, the over 1,000 polling stations were first allocated to the ten regions according to their percentage share in the total polling stations in the country (see Table 2 for the regional distribution). 

Table 2: Distribution of Sample Polling Stations by Region
Region	Polling Station by Region	% Share in Total Polling Stations	PVT  Polling Stations per Region	% Share in Total PVT Polling Stations
Ashanti	3,667	17.5	185	17.3
Brong Ahafo	2,382	11.3	120	11.2
Central	1,763	8.4	93	8.7
Eastern	2,609	12.4	135	12.6
Greater Accra	2,457	11.7	125	11.7
Northern	2,043	9.7	103	9.6
Upper East	1,028	4.9	50	4.7
Upper West	854	4.1	44	4.1
Volta	1,965	9.4	100	9.3
Western	2,240	10.7	115	10.7
Total	21,008	100.0	1,070	100.0
Note: Number of polling stations provided to CODEO by the Electoral Commission.

 The number of polling stations allocated to any region was then distributed across the constituencies within that region based on their percentage share in the total polling stations in the region (see Figure 2 for the distribution of polling stations in Volta). 

Figure 2: Distribution of Sample Polling Stations across Constituencies in Volta Region
Note: Number of polling stations provided to CODEO by the Electoral Commission.

 Field data gathered by RROs were sent directly into CODEO computerized database at its Observation Center at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) by means of special text messages.

 

 PVT Estimates of December 7, 2008 Presidential Election

CODEO indicated in various pre-election press statements that the inclusion of the PVT technique in its election observation toolkit for this year’s election was to help verify scientifically the accuracy of the result of the presidential election results as announced by the Electoral Commission. Indeed, by 2:00pm on Monday December 8, CODEO had been able to estimate the outcome of the presidential election based on information received from 99.8 percent of RROs. On Wednesday, December 10, CODEO in a press conference at the International Press Center released the PVT estimates of the December 7 Presidential election and noted the following: 

• the percentage of the vote received by the candidates was consistent with the official figures released by the EC;  

• the order of candidates based on their performance in the elections in the PVT matches that of the official results; and 

• the official result for each candidate fell within the PVT estimated 95 percent confidence interval given the estimated margin of error for each candidate (see Table 3 for PVT estimates). 

Table 3: PVT Estimates of December 7, 2008 Presidential Election (% vote received)
Candidate	Political Party	PVT Margin of Error	PVT Estimated Results (%)	EC Official Results (%)
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo	NPP	±1.6	49.8	49.1
Prof. John Evans Atta Mills	NDC	±1.6	47.4	47.9
Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom	CPP	±0.1	1.3	1.3
Dr. Edward Nasigrie Mahama	PNC	±0.2	0.8	0.9
Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi	DFP	±0.0	0.3	0.3
Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah	Independent	±0.1	0.2	0.2
Kwamena Adjei	RDP	±0.0	0.1	0.1
Thomas Ward Brew	DPP	±0.0	0.1	0.1
Note: PVT estimate range is based on a 95% confidence level

  

• The coalition also observed that the PVT estimated voter turnout of 70 percent and rejected ballots of 2.2 percent closely matched the official figures of 69.5 percent and 2.4 percent respectively. Given the close convergence of the PVT estimates and the official results, CODEO confirmed EC’s position that there was no outright winner. 

PVT FINDINGS ON THE RUN-OFF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

Ladies and gentlemen, in fulfillment of the promise made during the 10^th December press conference, CODEO has invited you to present its PVT findings on the Presidential run-off between Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo (NPP) and John Evans Atta Mills (NDC).

 As of 8:00am on Monday, 29th December, CODEO had received reports from 1,062 RRO polling stations constituting 99 percent of the PVT sample. This excluded those from Tain Constituency in the Brong Ahafo region where voting never took place and Temp Booth Chalator polling station in Kpandai Constituency in the Northern region where electorates refused to vote. The total number of valid votes recorded in these polling stations in the December 28 polls is 456,728 (compared to 448,624 on December 7).  

 

 Our PVT estimates show that Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the NPP candidate received 49.8 percent of the valid votes cast while NDC’s Prof. John Evans Atta Mills received 50.2 percent (see Table 4). 

 

Table 4: PVT Estimates Presidential Election (% vote received)
Candidate	Political Party	PVT Margin of Error	PVT Estimated Results (%)	EC Official Results (%)
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo	NPP	±1.7	49.81	49.87
Prof. John Evans Atta Mills	NDC	±1.7	50.19	50.13

Our estimate of the voter turnout which is 72.3 percent is a 2.3 percentage point increase over the December 7 figure of 70 percent. This figure matches closely with the official figure of 72.74 percent declared by the EC. Also, PVT estimate of rejected ballots (1 percent), which is an improvement on the 2.2 percent estimated for the December 7 election is not significantly different from EC’s figure of 1.02 percent. 

CODEO can confidently confirm that the results of the PVT are consistent with the official results of the presidential run-off announced by the Electoral Commission. 

Political contestants, their supporters and the general public should therefore have confidence in the accuracy of the official results declared by the Electoral Commission on December 30, 2008. 

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

CODEO reiterates its earlier position in the statement issued on Monday, December 29 2008 the problems and lapses in the voting process in the December 28 presidential run-off do not fundamentally undermine the integrity of the overall process. Thus, CODEO concludes,  in this preliminary statement, that the December 28 presidential run-off had been generally well conducted. 

Accordingly, CODEO commends Ghanaians for turning out in their numbers to express their political will and affirm their fundamental right to choose who should become their president for the next four years. 

CODEO has also taken note of the significant reduction in spoilt ballot papers during this run-off and commends those responsible for educating the public on how to vote properly. 

The Coalition commends the leadership and staff of the Electoral Commission (EC) for the able manner in which they conducted the run-off. It also commends the security agencies for their professional conduct and swiftness in responding to various incidents of disruption and violence. We urge the Police Service and the other security agencies not to relent in their efforts to maintain peace and security in this transition phase and beyond. CODEO recommends that the Police Service takes appropriate steps to initiate the prosecution of all those arrested for committing electoral offences. 

Ladies and Gentlemen, CODEO will observe the Tain Constituency polls and continue to monitor the post-election environment. A detailed report with recommendations for further improvements in our electoral process will published in early 2009. 

In the meantime, we call on all Ghanaians, including leaders of political parties and their supporters, to continue to place full confidence in the Electoral Commission.  

We also encourage the two presidential candidates and their respective political parties to accept the final official results. We call on the candidate who loses the Tain constituency election scheduled for Friday to gracefully concede defeat, and the victorious candidate to be magnanimous. 

CODEO notes with concern incidents of intimidation that were amplified via incendiary statements and commentaries broadcast on some radio stations. We urge media outlets and all Ghanaians to refrain from divisive   pronouncements and actions to ensure that the post election atmosphere remains peaceful. 

The president-elect, when sworn, in will be President of all Ghanaians in the coming four years and must therefore move quickly beyond the partisan politics of the electoral cycle to earn the support of all Ghanaians. 

Finally, CODEO appeals to all to remain calm as the nation prepares for yet another important transition. 

Thank you and God Bless Ghana 

Signed:

Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe,

Joint Chairpersons

(For and on Behalf of the Advisory Board)

CODEO Secretariat, Wednesday, December 31, 2008

 

 

 

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CODEO will be releasing its PVT findings during a 10 a.m. press conference on December 31, 2008 at the International Press Center in Accra

For more information, please contact CODEO press coordinator, Theodore Dzeble +233 (0)244215736.

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CODEO Projects Very Close Election and Calls on All Parties to Remain Calm

1) CODEO observers reported a higher number of problems and lapses in the December 28 runoff election than the presidential and general elections of December 7. Two main factors account for that: the extremely high stakes nature of the presidential runoff election in which only one party could win; and the short time available for the Electoral Commission to organize the second round.

 

2) CODEO has analyzed information from the parallel vote tabulation (PVT) exercise gathered by its rapid response observers (RROs). Data from its representative random sample of more than 1,000 polling stations from 229 constituencies indicate that the election results are extremely close and the results are likely to be decided by less than a percentage point.

 

As with the presidential and general elections of December 7, CODEO observers reported many lapses in the voting process in the presidential runoff election of December 28,  including setting up and opening of polling stations, voting and vote counting.  However, the problems reported by CODEO observers do not fundamentally undermine the integrity of the overall process.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

3) To ensure that all Ghanaians are able to exercise their right to vote and the results of the presidential election reflect the will of the people, the Electoral Commission must immediately conduct elections at all the polling stations in the Tain constituency in Brong Ahafo where voting did not take place on 28 December. Ideally, this must occur before the EC officially announces the results-since the country as a whole is one constituency for the presidential election.

 

4) The Electoral Commission must swiftly and decisively resolve the concerns raised by political contestants concerning the conduct of the presidential runoff election. Any recounts or re-collations should be conducted without delay.

 

5) CODEO calls upon the Electoral Commission to do its best to issue polling station results along with the overall results to ensure that the official results of this highly competitive election are accepted by all parties, their supporters as well as the general public. While the Electoral Commission is not required to take such a step, the release of polling stations results would significantly reduce post election tensions while reinforcing confidence in the Electoral Commission’s impartiality.

 

6) We call on Ghanaians, including leaders of political parties and their supporters, to continue to place confidence in the Electoral Commission.

 

7) Above all, we encourage the two presidential candidates and their respective political parties to accept the official results. We encourage the victors to be magnanimous. The president-elect when sworn in will be president of all Ghanaians during the coming four years and must therefore move quickly beyond the partisan politics of the electoral cycle to earn the support of all Ghanaians.

 

 

 

Signed:

Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe,

Joint Chairpersons

(For and on Behalf of the Advisory Board)

CODEO Secretariat, Sunday, December 29 2008, 1:30pm

 

For more information, please contact any of the following telephone numbers: 0243387094; 0244692301; 0243661350; 0244665065

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GHANA’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RUNOFF HELD ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2008 CODEO POLLING DAY OBSERVATION: SITUATIONAL STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Accra, Ghana, 28 December 2008

 

 

GHANA’S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RUNOFF HELD ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2008

CODEO POLLING DAY OBSERVATION: SITUATIONAL STATEMENT

  

 

INTRODUCTION

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) deployed approximately 4,000 non-partisan domestic observers across the country on polling day. These observers include over 1,000 Rapid Response Observers (RROs) stationed at a nationally representative randomly sampled polling stations in all the 230 constituencies. This situational statement focuses on the setting up and opening of polling stations and is based on reports CODEO has received from RROs, Regular Observers (ROs), Regional Coordinators and Constituency Supervisors as of 1:00pm today.

 

By 7am, nearly all of our RROs had reported at their assigned polling stations in all the 230 constituencies. CODEO observers reported that the polling officials largely adhered to the Electoral Commission’s (EC) regulation that they be present at their polling stations by 6:00am. In over eight in every ten polling stations, EC polling officials were present at polling stations by 6:00am. These officials also permitted CODEO observers to observe the set up and polling.

 

SETTING UP AND OPENING OF POLLING STATIONS

·        Nearly all polling stations observed by our observers had polling agents representing the two contesting parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the run-off.

 

·        Almost all CODEO observers reported that all election materials were present at the time of setup. In more than nine out of ten of all polling stations observed, there were no reports of missing or shortage of election materials. Reports from our observers indicated that at the vast majority of polling stations there were sufficient numbers of presidential ballot papers (more than registered voters). However, there were reports of minor incidents relating to the setup and opening of polls.

 

·        CODEO observers reported that the vast majority of polling stations had uniformed security present. It is only in the Northern region that visible presence of uniformed security personnel stationed at polling stations was low (3 out of 10) as compared to other regions.  CODEO also noted the presence of mobile security forces and their promptness in responding to reported cases of incidents.

 

·        Nearly all polling stations observed were set up so voters could mark their ballots in secret.  Ballot boxes were shown to be empty, sealed and shown to the public to demonstrate transparency in almost all the polling stations.

 

·        Generally, polling stations at set up were accessible to persons with disability and the elderly.

 

·        CODEO observers reported that polling stations were opened on time, generally. In eight (8) out of ten (10) cases, polling stations opened at 7am or thereabout. This was an improvement on December 7 where a third of all polling stations opened later than the official start time. In the few cases where polling station opened late, the Upper East and Volta regions were the most affected (3 out of 10 polling stations opened late).

 

From the foregoing, CODEO notes that in general arrangements put in place by the EC for setup and opening of polls went well in most polling stations. Nonetheless, there are disturbing incidents that had been reported by our observers. In most of these cases, CODEO has contacted EC’s officials and security agencies with the aim of getting solution to these problems.

 

INCIDENTS AND IRREGULARITIES

As noted earlier, most of the incidents reported by our observers occurred at the setup. There were 34 cases of missing election materials such as ballot boxes, ballot paper, voters’ register, indelible ink, voting screen, validating stamp, endorsing ink and ink pad. Most of these cases were reported from Eastern, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Upper East and Volta. However, most of these problems had been resolved at the time of release of this statement.

 

Other incidents reported by our observers included the following:

 

·        A total of 24 cases of disorder at polling stations in Eastern, Ashanti, Central, and Greater Accra regions;

 

·        12 cases of intimidation and harassment particularly in Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions;

 

·        14 cases of violence mainly in Ashanti, Eastern, Brong Ahafo and Central regions;

 

·        6 cases of violation of voting procedures largely in Ashanti and Northern regions;

 

·        A few cases of polling officials were suspected to be partisan; disenfranchising of eligible voters; allowing ineligible voters to vote; suspension of voting, and snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes.

 

For instance, suspension of polls had been reported in some parts of Brong Ahafo (Tain constituency), Central (Methodist Church/Town Saltpond polling station in the Mfantseman West constituency, CPB Amantsiaa Abaasa polling station in the Ajumako/Enyan/Esiam constituency ) and Eastern regions (L A JSS Anyankode Awukugua polling station in the Okere constituency). An observer also reported suspension of polls at Oblogo in Weija constituency in the Greater Accra region. As reported in our December 7 press statement, voters in Temp Booth Chalator polling station in Kpandai constituency in the Northern region once again refused to vote.

 

CONCLUSION

The coalition is continuing to receive reports from its network of observers deployed in polling stations across the 230 constituencies. We are crosschecking these reports.

 

The coalition however is concerned with the rising number of incidents in the run-off compared to the December 7 election. CODEO calls on the appropriate institutions to quickly address these situations before they get out of hand.

 

The coalition appeals to the leadership and the members of the two political parties to desist from spreading unconfirmed rumours.  We also appeal strongly to the media to refrain from reporting unconfirmed incidents which are likely to raise unnecessary tension and anxiety amongst the general public.

 

CODEO finally appeals to all Ghanaians to remain calm and be law abiding throughout the voting period and after.

 

  

Signed:

Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe,

Joint Chairpersons

(For and on Behalf of the Advisory Board)

CODEO Secretariat, Sunday, December 28 2008, 3:30pm

 

For more information, please contact any of the following telephone numbers: 0243387094; 0244692301; 0243661350; 0244665065

 

Uncategorized CODEO, CODEO Statement., Ghana election 2008, run off, Second round, voting

PRESS STATEMENT DELIVERED AT THE KOFI ANNAN INTERNATIONAL PEACEKEEPING TRAINING CENTER ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 27TH 2008

 

INTRODUCTION

Our friends in the Media,

Representatives of the Diplomatic/Donor Missions

Representatives of International Observer Groups

Members of Local Civil Society Organizations

Representatives of political parties,

Ladies and Gentlemen..,

On behalf of the Advisory Board of the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), I welcome you to this important press conference ahead of tomorrow’s presidential runoff election. As we all know, no clear winner emerged from the presidential election held on December 7 2008, necessitating a runoff between the two leading candidates - Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and Professor John Evans Atta Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC). The Electoral Commission (EC) has scheduled the runoff for tomorrow, Sunday, December 28 2008. We have invited you, Ladies and Gentlemen, to brief you and the nation on CODEO’s preparations toward observing the Presidential runoff.

PRESIDENTIAL RUNOFF  

CODEO recognizes the importance of this runoff in Ghana’s democratic process. We have also taken note of the high stakes in this election for the contending political parties, their supporters and the entire nation. We are convinced that, just like the December 7 2008 polls, the run-off election must be seen to be fully transparent, free, fair and violence free to ensure that its outcome is credible and acceptable to all parties. In the year 2000, when the situation called for a runoff, CODEO observed the presidential run-off and thereby contributed to the integrity of the process.

CODEO OBSERVATION PLANS

Ladies and Gentlemen, on December 7 2008, CODEO, which comprises thirty-four (34) professional and religious bodies as well as other civil society organizations, including the Christian Council of Ghana, the Federation of Muslim Councils, the Ghana Bar Association, the Ghana National Association of Teachers, the Civil Servants Association, the National Union of Ghana Students and the Ghana Federation of the Disabled, deployed more than 4000 trained and  accredited non-partisan domestic election observers throughout the country. Among the 4000 observers were over 1000 Rapid Response Observers (RROs) who were deployed to a nationally representative sample of polling stations in all the 230 constituencies. These RROs reported on key indicators such as the quality of the polls and poll results via text message throughout the polling period.  CODEO is proud to have been part of the successful December 7 elections which were adjudged by us and others, including the political parties, international observers and other stakeholders to have been generally transparent, free and fair. .

Going into the run-off, CODEO has made preparations to deploy, again, close to 4000 local observers in all the 230 constituencies. In preparation for this exercise CODEO has organized debriefing sessions for all its observers, including the RROs as well as its Regional Coordinators and Constituency Supervisors. The insights and lessons gathered from the debriefing sessions will help strengthen our observation of the second round polls. CODEO observers will be deployed at polling stations and will observe the set-up, voting and counting procedures and also report on incidents throughout the day. Observers will also be posted at constituency collating centers in all the 230 constituencies as well as in what has become known as the ‘Strong Room’ at the EC Headquarters in Accra. CODEO observers will, again, wear white T-shirts with CODEO Election 2008 boldly printed at the back.  They may also be identified by their CODEO caps and CODEO embossed bags. They will report at the polling stations at 6:00am and stay until the end of official declaration of the ballot count at the polling stations and constituency collating centers.

PARALLEL VOTE TABULATION (PVT)

Ladies and Gentlemen, CODEO will again employ the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology in its observation of the run-off with over 1000 RROs deployed to a nationally representative random sample of polling stations. The PVT technique will enable CODEO to undertake a quick scientific assessment of the conduct of voting, counting and tabulation process around the country. It will also enable CODEO to verify the accuracy of the official results.

CODEO reported in its press conference on December 10 2008 that the estimates from the PVT were consistent with the official presidential results announced by the Electoral Commission. Also, the ranking of the presidential candidates in terms of the percentage of votes they obtained in that election was the same between the PVT data and the official results. The percentage of the vote received by each candidate was also consistent between the PVT data and the official results (See Table 1 below as captured in the press statement on December 10 2008)

 

Table 1. PVT Estimates and Official Results (in order of percent vote as of December 10, 2008)
Candidate	Party	PVT Estimate	PVT Margin of Error	Official EC Results
Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo	NPP	49.8	±1.6	49.1
Prof. John Evans Atta Mills	NDC	47.4	±1.6	47.9
Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom	CPP	1.3	±0.1	1.3
Dr. Edward Nasigrie Mahama	PNC	0.8	±0.2	0.9
Emmanuel Ansah-Antwi	DFP	0.3	±0.0	0.3
Kwesi Amoafo-Yeboah	Independent	0.2	±0.1	0.2
Kwamena Adjei	RDP	0.1	±0.0	0.1
Thomas Ward Brew	DPP	0.1	±0.0	0.1
Note: PVT estimate range was based on a 95% confidence level

Based on our experience from the December 7 polls, CODEO is very confident that its PVT methodology of observation is credible and will enhance transparency in the tallying of the votes in the presidential run-off polls. Within 24 hours after close of polls, CODEO is likely to be in a position to ascertain which of the candidates stands to gain the highest percentage of votes in the run-off presidential election. CODEO will issue its statement on the PVT results accordingly.  

REPORTING

From the Observation Center at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC), CODEO will share information about any irregularities and disruptions with the relevant authorities.

CODEO will make regular statements to the press about the conduct of the election.

At 2: 00 PM on December 28, 2008, CODEO will release a press statement on the general conduct of the polls.

Additional press statements will be released    on the day of voting as and when appropriate. The Coalition will issue a preliminary statement on the overall conduct of the election at 3:00pm on Monday, December 29, 2008.

 SPECIAL VOTING

Special Voting for the presidential run-off elections took place on 23^rd December, 2008. By most accounts, the process was generally orderly and peaceful. However, there were reports of unexpectedly high turnout and some procedural problems at some polling stations. CODEO observers have confirmed the increase in turnout and some disturbances in the special voting process. The Coalition calls on the EC to ensure that the concerns raised about the special voting exercise are addressed immediately to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

 CONCLUSION

CODEO makes a special appeal to the leadership of the NPP and the NDC and their supporters to do all in their power to help maintain the peace in our country. They should exercise maximum restraint during and after the election. Acts of intimidation, harassment and violence must be avoided at all cost.

While CODEO commends the security services for generally comporting themselves during and after the December 7 elections, we urge them to continue to be professional, impartial and resolute in protecting the ballot process and in maintaining the peace.

CODEO appeals to the EC, polling officials, returning and presiding officers to continue to conduct themselves professionally during this presidential run-off as they did on December 7 2008. We hope that the EC took note of some of the lapses in the administration of the December 7th elections. Such lapses included the late start of voting at some polling stations, absence or shortage of election materials at the start of voting, inadequate arrangements for the transportation of election materials to some isolated polling stations, and the lack of uniformity in the application of electoral regulations by some polling officials. CODEO is convinced that the conduct of EC officials on Election Day will largely determine the extent to which all stakeholders will perceive the process to have been free and fair and its outcome credible. The Coalition is confident that the EC has taken steps to address these problems. We also hope that the EC will continue to cooperate with our observers to enhance the integrity of the process.

 

The Coalition of Domestic Observers urges all Ghanaians to take full ownership of this runoff by participating fully in it and maintaining maximum vigilance over it. We remind voters to conduct themselves properly on Election Day. On its part, CODEO will do its best to ensure that the December 28 2008 presidential runoff is free, fair and transparent.   

On behalf of the Advisory Board of CODEO, we wish to express gratitude and appreciation for the enthusiasm and dedication shown by the large number of Ghanaians who have volunteered as CODEO observers. We urge you to play your individual roles in an impartial, nonpartisan and independent manner so that CODEO is able to meet its primary objective of promoting free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections and thus lend legitimacy and credibility to the 2008 electoral outcome.

Finally, CODEO expresses gratitude and appreciation to United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for its generous support; the National Democratic Institute (NDI) of the US for its technical assistance on the PVT, and to the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center for, once again, collaborating with us in this project.

May God Bless Ghana

 

Thank you. 

Signed:

Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe,

Joint Chairpersons

(For and on Behalf of the CODEO Advisory Board)

December 27, 2008

 

Uncategorized CODEO, CODEO Statement., NDC voting, NPP voting, Press Release, reports, run off, Second round, Voting in Ghana