The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has appealed to leaders of the NPP and the NDC to desist from spreading unconfirmed rumours. The organisation also cautioned the media against sensational reporting and repeating of rumours put out by unknown sources. In its preliminary report issued in Accra, CODEO said as at the time of releasing the report, all polling stations had essential electoral materials and party agents were also present. The organisation said virtually all polling stations opened at 7 am. Read the full CODEO's Situation Report below; 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