So far so good – CODEO preliminary report on Election 2020

The Coalition of Domestic Observers (CODEO) has expressed satisfaction with preliminary measures put in place by the Electoral Commission for the 2020 elections.

CODEO in its preliminary situational report stated that arrangements put in place by the EC for the set up and the opening of polls were adequate for most polling stations.

This was confirmed by 1,499 out of 1,502 observers from the coalition located in all 275 across the country.

“Reports from CODEO show that voting generally commenced on time. By 7:15 over half of polling stations, ( i.e 65%) had opened,” Acting Chair for the Coalition, Sheikh Aremeyaw Shaibu said at a presser Monday.

According to the coalition, “92.6 percent of the polling stations had sensitive materials including ballot boxes, ballot papers, indelible ink, among others sent to respective polling stations in time.”

However, the remaining 7.4% had some challenges with the provision of these materials.

Ahead of the 2020 December 7 polls, the Electoral Commission assured citizens of a smooth election process.

Security agencies also assured voters of their safety while casting their ballots as persons found culpable of any misconduct will not be spared by the security agencies.

In its preliminary situational report of the December 7 polls, CODEO stated that adequate security was provided at various polling stations.

According to the Coalition “85.3percent of polling stations had adequate police personnel while 14.7% “of stations did not.

CODEO added that voters including persons with disabilities were allowed to cast their ballots without any interference except in few cases where some voters were harassed.

“Covid-19 safety protocols were also in display in most polling stations, less than 1 percent lacked the items,” the Coalition added.

This notwithstanding, CODEO also observed some challenges with the process.

It was observed that ballot papers were issued with some candidates missing.

“This was confirmed in one polling station in the Awutu Twene in the Awutu Senya West Constituency and in some polling stations in Bawku Central in the Upper East Region.”

Also, cases of biometric devices not functioning and voters refusing to comply with Covid-19 safety protocols were also recorded.

“CODEO is continuing to receive reports from it’s network of nationally deployed observers and will continue to release updated reports.”

The Coalition further appealed to all Ghanaians to remain calm and be law abiding throughout the country and continue to respect the covid-19 safety protocols.