The campaigns
Though concluded and results declared in favor of the NPP candidate the electoral process before and during election-day had been continually fraught with tension and violence. CODEO’s one week observation of the pre-election campaigns reported house-to-house campaigns by the two main candidates of the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress amidst palpable hostility between the two camps of supporters. According to CODEO observers, the crack of gun shots was frequently heard from various quarters.

Two days before election-day when the two parties had planned to hold their final rallies, supporters of the rival candidates had been locked in a bloody clash in the centre of town where their party offices are located. Government intervened by imposing a dusk to dawn curfew and deploying police and military personnel to
keep peace and order in the municipality.

Election-Day Processes
CODED deployed observers to all six polling stations. The reports complied from their checklist indicated that the Electoral Commission preparations for the polls were adequate. Polls opened promptly at 7.00am in all the polling stations and the requisite voting materials were adequately provided everywhere. EC district
officers were strategically imported from other districts to play the role of presiding officers at the polling stations for fear that local recruits might either be susceptible to compromise or risk being attacked.

Election-Day Incidents
Tight as the security was, party thugs were still able to foment trouble. A group of people were arrested bringing weapons into one of the polling stations shortly after the start of polling. Open fights broke out where rival party agents perceived infiltrations. Party polling agents intimidated polling staff into allowing unqualified persons to vote. Some highly-placed party executives were openly harassed and disallowed from visiting some of the polling stations. Noisy confrontations between rival party activists were the order of the day in all the polling stations. A number of persons were caught attempting to vote more than once or
impersonating other voters. Most prevalent was the use of fake voters’ cards. Many voters had gone to the stations with their official 10 cards to vote only to discover that other persons had fraudulently used fake IDs to vote in their names already. A couple of voters were also arrested intending to stuff the ballot boxes
with several pre-marked ballot papers. Indeed some voters succeeded in introducing a number of fake ballot papers into the ballot box in two of the polling stations.

Election-Day security
Scores of armed and unarmed security personnel were deployed at the polling stations and also in patrol teams. At each of the polling stations no less than 30 security agents took positions at various angles to protect the process. Though taunted and harassed at times, the men in uniform were firm in dealing with
disorderly behavior. They were, however, also criticized for not dealing more decisively with wrong-doers they had arrested.

Conclusion
Propped by massive security on the ground the Electoral Commission was able to administer the election up to the counting and declaration of results. However the widespread harassment, intimidation and fraud observed by COOEO makes it difficult to conclude that the Akwatia re-run election sufficiently met the criteria for free and fair elections. The Akwatia re-run elections confirm once again the unrequited need for substantial improvements to be made in national and local level election security arrangements, especially around OISEC and REGSEC, the conduct of political party officials and their supporters and civic/voter education.
The Akwatia re-run polls provides sober lessons about the length the country needs to go to ensure that the 2010 polls don’t turn nightmarish.
You may ca ll John Larvie on 776142 or 0243714444 for further clarification .
Miranda Greenstreet
Co-Chairperson

Monday, 17lh AUGUST,2009

CODEO Press Statement

CODEO CALLS FOR RESTRAINT IN THE AKWATIA PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is demanding maximum

restraint from the supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and

the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Akwatia constituency mini election.

Reports reaching CODEO from its field observers indicate that the campaign

activities of supporters of the two political parties in the Akwatia Constituency

degenerated into violence over the weekend.

We are pleased that the security forces intervened to avert further

deterioration and that a dawn to dusk curfew has been imposed on the

Akwatia municipality ahead of the Tuesday 18tl! August mini-poll in six polling

stations in the Constituency. Nonetheless, CODEO cautions against

unnecessary show of force which might intimidate voters and provoke disputes

over the results of the election.

CODEO appeals to the leadership of the two political parties and their

respective candidates in the election to restrain their supporters from violent

behavior and fully comply with the provisions of the Electoral Commission’s

guidelines on campaign activities. CODEO appeals to the political parties and

indeed to all Ghanaians to give peace a chance in the Akwatia election.

You may call John Larvie on 776142 or 0243714444 for further clarification.

Prof. Miranda Greenstreet

CO-CHAIRPERSON

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.

Introduction

As promised in its preliminary statement on the conduct of the presidential run-off election held on Sunday, December 28, 2008, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) observed the rescheduled poll in the Tain Constituency on January 2, 2009. Given the significance of the poll, CODEO deployed observers to all 144 polling stations. One member of CODEO’s Advisory Board also observed the polls. Reports were received throughout the day from 143 of them. CODEO issued a situational statement on the day of polling at 3:30pm focusing on the setting up and opening of polling stations. Polling day incidents and irregularities were also highlighted in the statement. This interim report captures CODEO observations of the Tain constituency polls up to the declaration of the results.

Summary of Observation

Overall, the Tain poll was well conducted and peaceful. This was a noteworthy achievement in the light of the heightened political tensions following the decision by the Electoral Commission (EC) to delay announcing final results of the presidential runoff election until voting in the Tain Constituency. Reports from CODEO observers showed low voter turnout and this was attributed to the NPP’s decision on January 1 to boycott the Tain poll.

Setting Up and Opening of Polling Stations

• Reports from observers indicated that 98 of 143 (69 percent) polling stations opened late. By 9:00 am, 134 polling stations had opened, and the 143 polling stations observed and reported by CODEO eventually opened.

• The secrecy of the balloting process was protected in all polling stations observed and reported on by CODEO’s observers, and the ballot boxes were empty before being sealed.

• NDC polling agents were at 141 of 143 polling stations, and one NPP agent was present for the opening of a polling station but did not remain to observe voting.

• There were no missing materials at 128 of 143 polling stations, though the delayed arrival of materials was a factor in the late opening of most polling stations reported above. Poll books lost in the fire that destroyed the Electoral Commission office in Tain after the December 7 elections were not available at any polling station, but this appeared to only affect a small number of voters who did not have their voter ID cards.

Voting Process

• At 127 of 143 polling stations, no voters in possession of voter ID cards were turned away from polling stations.

• Voters’ fingers were inked in 138 of 143 polling stations.

• Names were checked in the voter registry in 138 of 143 polling stations before voters were allowed to cast their ballots.

Counting and Collation of Votes

• CODEO observers reported that the correct number of ballots papers was found in the ballot box in 139 of 143 polling stations.

• Observers agreed with the announced vote count in 140 of 143 polling stations.

Incidents and Irregularities

• There were very few incidents reported by CODEO observers, including some NDC polling agents attempting to interfere in the polling process at some polling stations. None of them were serious enough to affect the outcome of the poll.

Conclusion

Given the mounting tensions in the country following the December 28 election and the decision to reschedule the presidential run-off in the Tain Constituency, CODEO commends the Electoral Commission for the transparent and professional manner in which it conducted the poll. CODEO also commends Ghana’s security forces for keeping the peace and ensuring calm during this difficult period.

All Ghanaians should take pride in the 2008 electoral process, which demonstrated that the country’s democratic process is strong enough to withstand the challenges and high stakes of a closely contested election.

CODEO will issue a comprehensive report on its observation of the 2008 elections in early 2009, which will contain recommendations for strengthening the electoral process in advance of future elections.

CODEO is grateful to the British High Commission for supporting CODEO’s observation exercise in the Tain constituency at such short notice.

Issued by CODEO Secretariat

January 6 2009

]]> http://www.codeogh.org/?feed=rss2&p=246 http://www.codeogh.org/?p=241 http://www.codeogh.org/?p=241#comments Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:12:04 +0000 admin http://www.codeogh.org/?p=241

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

]]> http://www.codeogh.org/?feed=rss2&p=241 http://www.codeogh.org/?p=228 http://www.codeogh.org/?p=228#comments Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:40:40 +0000 admin http://www.codeogh.org/?p=228 INTRODUCTION

As indicated in the preliminary statement on the conduct of the presidential election run-off held on Sunday, December 28 2008 and issued at the International Press Center on Wednesday, 31 December 2008, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is observing the rescheduled Tain Constituency polls. Given the high stakes associated with the Tain election, CODEO deployed 144 observers to all the polling stations in the Tain constituency. These included the 7 Rapid Response Observers (RROs) assigned to polling stations randomly selected for the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT), Regular Observers (ROs), Regional Coordinators (RCs) and Constituency Supervisors (CSs). A member of CODEO Advisory Board is also observing the polls. This situational statement focuses on the setting up and opening of polling stations and is based on reports received from 84 out of the 144 RROs, ROs, RCs, CSs and roving observers as of 2:00pm today.

SETTING UP AND OPENING OF POLLING STATIONS

• Reports received from our observers indicate that, in general, voting is proceeding peacefully and smoothly in the constituency and CODEO observers have been permitted by polling officials to observer the polls.

• Thirty-eight percent of our observers reported that polling officials arrived after 6:00am. Also, there were reports of widespread late arrival of election materials. This was explained away by EC officials as due to the fact that election materials had to be kept in Sunyani and transported early in the morning to Tain. It will be recalled that the EC office in Tain was burnt down after the December 7 elections. This accounted for the delayed opening of polling stations as reported by 67% of CODEO observers.

• Polling stations, according to our observers (99%) were setup in a manner to ensure secrecy of ballot and accessibility to persons with disability and the aged. Besides, all our observers reported that ballot boxes were shown to be empty and sealed.

• Ninety-nine percent of CODEO observers reported that there were uniform security personnel in polling stations. According to them, on average, each polling station has about five security personnel comprising military and police personnel. It is also worthy of note that there is significant level of security patrols by mobile security teams.

• NDC polling agents are reported by 97% of our observers to be present at polling stations. In contrast, NPP had one agent at Roman Catholic JSS, Banda Ahenkro earlier in the day who left after awhile.
• Reports received from our observers generally suggest low voter turnout. Coupled with this is the fact that the competitive spirit expected to characterize the election is simply not there because NPP supporters have boycotted the election.

INCIDENTS AND IRREGULARITIES

Incidents and irregularities reported at polling stations by CODEO observers included the following:

• Missing poll books and ID checklist at all polling stations which according to EC officials were destroyed in the fire that burnt down the Tain EC office. Voters without ID cards but with receipt from EC as proof of eligibility who cannot identify their names in the voter register are being turned away. Such cases have been reported at the Nsawkaw Health Center and LA Primary in Degege polling stations.

• Some NDC polling agents are getting involved in the poll processes by verifying particulars of voters’ ID cards particularly in Abekwai No. 3 LA Primary, RC Upper Primary in Njau and RC primary School, Tanoso polling stations. Unfortunately, some presiding officers have not been able to restrain them from this conduct.

• CODEO observers reported seeing buses loaded with NPP supporters entering the Tain constituency. They have been chanting “no Volta, no vote” and moving around the constituency. As at the time of this report there has not been any report of any clashes or confrontation. The mobile security teams have also stepped up patrol and the buses with NPP supporters are now less visible.

CONCLUSION

The coalition is continuing to receive reports from its network of observers. However, it is worried that tension may rise leading to clashes, especially with the increasing chanting of “no Volta, no vote” by buses full of NPP supporters in the constituency. CODEO will continue its observations through to the end of voting, counting of ballots and the collating of results. CODEO will issue another statement if necessary.

The coalition appeals to the leadership, more especially supporters of the two political parties to exercise much restraint to avoid creating chaotic conditions that could lead to violence. It is hoped that the uncertainties surrounding the declaration of results will soon be resolved.

We also appeal strongly to the media to use their medium to calm tension in the country.

CODEO finally appeals to all Ghanaians to remain calm and be law abiding.

Signed:

Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe,

Joint Chairpersons

(For and on Behalf of the Advisory Board)

CODEO Secretariat, Friday, 02 January 2009; 3:30 pm

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

]]> http://www.codeogh.org/?feed=rss2&p=228 http://www.codeogh.org/?p=213 http://www.codeogh.org/?p=213#comments Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:15:45 +0000 admin http://www.codeogh.org/?p=213 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). 

• 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). 

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). 

 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). 

 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). 

• 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). 

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

CODEO calls on the EC to continue to be transparent in collating, certifying and announcing the results.  While anxiously waiting for the EC results, CODEO calls on the leaders of the two contending parties – the NDC and the NPP – to show leadership and to prevail on their supporters to remain calm.

Given the highly competitive nature of this election and the projected closeness of the race, the Electoral Commission needs to verify the accuracy of results. For the Electoral Commission to complete this task effectively and fairly, the parties must refrain from inflammatory statements that could undermine the electoral process.

We especially plead with supporters of the political parties who are gathered at the premises of the Electoral Commission and elsewhere to go home peacefully.

We call on all Ghanaians to continue to place confidence in the Electoral Commission and to allow the processes of the electoral system to function.

CODEO also encourages the two presidential candidates and their respective political parties to accept the official results. We call on the candidate who loses the election to gracefully concede defeat, and the victorious candidate 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 process to earn the support of all Ghanaians.

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

Signed:

Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe,

Joint Chairpersons

(For and on Behalf of the Advisory Board)

CODEO Secretariat, Tuesday, December 30 2008, 2:30pm

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