The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has released its second pre-election observation report, highlighting a generally peaceful political atmosphere ahead of Ghana’s December 7, 2024, presidential and parliamentary elections. The report, which covers the period from October 26 to November 8, 2024, draws on weekly observations filed by 97 Long-Term Observers (LTOs) across all regions of the country.
CODEO’s findings underline improvements in voter education efforts but raise concerns about abuse of incumbency, vote-buying, and the limited engagement of smaller political parties in campaign activities.
Improved Voter Education Efforts
CODEO observed an increase in voter education activities spearheaded by the Electoral Commission (EC) compared to its maiden report. Approximately 26% of weekly reports from observers noted EC-led voter education initiatives, up from 12% previously. Effective mediums included posters, community and regular radio broadcasts, street announcements, and peace rallies. Posters, the most popular medium, were noted in 57% of the reports, a rise from 41% in the earlier period.
Despite this progress, CODEO expressed concern that voter education efforts remain insufficient and urged stakeholders to intensify nationwide campaigns.
Campaign Trends: Dominance of NPP and NDC
The two leading political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), dominated campaign activities. While the NPP led in house-to-house campaigns, the NDC organized more meetings and party marches. Campaign messages from both parties focused on key national issues, including education, unemployment, the economy, corruption, food and agriculture, water, health and sanitation, and crime and security.
The NPP emphasized education (88% of reports), food and agriculture (60%), and water, health, and sanitation (58%). In contrast, the NDC prioritized the economy (80%), unemployment (78%), and corruption (62%). Smaller political parties had limited campaign visibility, focusing primarily on unemployment, corruption, and education.
Observers also noted the provision of incentives, such as food, drinks, and transportation, during campaign events. The NPP was cited in 53% of such reports, followed by the NDC at 40%. Instances of vote-buying, including monetary and material inducements, were reported in some constituencies, particularly in the Ashanti, Savannah, and Western regions.
Abuse of Incumbency
The report highlighted cases of incumbency abuse involving the use of state resources for campaign purposes. In the Tatale-Sanguli constituency, for instance, campaign flyers of the NPP parliamentary candidate were branded on equipment from the government’s District Road Improvement Program (DRIP). Observers recorded similar incidents in about 11% of their reports.
CODEO called on law enforcement agencies to enforce regulations against incumbency abuse, which undermines fair competition in the elections.
Peaceful Political Climate
The overall political environment remains calm, with no reports of violence, intimidation, or harassment targeting women. CODEO commended political actors for maintaining peace while urging them to sustain issue-based campaigns.
Recommendations
To ensure credible and peaceful elections, CODEO urged:
- The Electoral Commission, National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), media, and civil society organizations to intensify voter education.
- Political parties and their supporters to continue peaceful and issue-focused campaigns.
- Law enforcement agencies to strictly enforce laws against vote-buying and abuse of state resources.
As Ghana approaches election day, CODEO emphasized the need for stakeholders to remain vigilant and collaborative in preserving the peaceful political climate.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
