Pre-Election Environment Observation Statement for December 2014
Introduction
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is pleased to release its second statement on the observation of the pre-election environment ahead of the March 3, 2015 local government/district assembly and unit committee elections.
The statement, which follows the first report released in early December, captures observations made by CODEO�s 86 long-term pre-election observers deployed to 86 purposefully selected districts (See Appendix A below on the list of districts) throughout the ten (10) regions of the country.
These observations were made from weekly reports filed by CODEO Observers during the month of December, 2014.
Summary of Finding:
�The Electoral Commission (EC) intensified preparations for the 2015 local government elections;
�The EC submitted to Law Courts for prosecution cases of individuals involved in multiple registrations;
�The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) continued with sensitization and education promotion on the participation of marginalized groups in the up-coming local government elections; and
�Interested aspirants picked up nomination forms at the various district offices of the EC; some aspiring candidates also continued with campaigning ahead of being officially declared candidates by the EC.
Main Findings
�The Electoral Commission intensified preparations for the up-coming elections.
During the period of observation, CODEO observed that the EC intensified preparations towards the 2015 local government elections. The EC announced a new date for the elections to be March 3, 2015.
The EC also opened and closed nominations for election into the various district assemblies and unit committees. CODEO observers from the various districts reported that some district EC Offices, such as the Kassena-Nankana, Nzema East and Wa West districts promoted awareness regarding the nomination processes, in addition to sensitizing the public about the new date for the elections.
In the Dormaa Central district of the Brong-Ahafo region, the EC educated people on how to fill out the nomination forms and encouraged people to contest for the elections. The EC also put up notices of elections and worked on replacement of lost voter ID cards and vote transfers.
�The prosecution of suspected cases of multiple registrants
During the period of observation, CODEO observers also noted that some individuals suspected of engaging in multiple voter registrations were sent to court for prosecution.
Some of these individuals found guilty of the offence were fined various amounts of money while others were banned from taking part in electoral activities for a period of two (2) years.
In the Assin South district of the Central Region, for example, where some individuals were prosecuted, offenders were charged with fines between 50 to 120 Ghana Cedis.
�The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) continued promoting the participation of marginalized groups in the up-coming elections while creating awareness about the elections
CODEO observers reported from the various districts that the NCCE continued to organize meetings with marginalized groups such as women, persons with disability and the youth to encourage them to take active part in the elections.
In the Dormaa Central district of the Brong-Ahafo region, for example, the NCCE promised a sponsorship package for interested women candidates. The NCCE also used its platforms to sensitize local communities about the local government elections and particularly about the new announced dates for the elections.
Some of the districts where the NCCE carried out such activities included Asutifi North, Berekum, Builsa North, Adansi North, La-Nkwantanan Madina, Gomoa East, Savelugu-Nanton, and Kassena-Nankana,
�Opening of nomination process by the EC and picking of nominations forms by Aspirants.
CODEO observers reported that individuals interested in contesting for assembly and unit committee member positions picked and submitted nomination forms at the various EC offices when the window of nomination process opened.
�Campaigning by Aspirants
Although the EC is yet to confirm and certify aspirants as candidates for the local government elections, CODEO Observers reported that some aspiring candidates in the observed districts continued with their election campaign.
In some instances, some of these aspirants were seen making various promises particularly relating to the development of their communities. In the Sekyere East and Dormaa Central districts in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions respectively, for instance, some candidates have been making promises such as providing electricity, street lights and water to their electoral areas.
Commendations
CODEO commends the NCCE for its efforts at advocating for and promoting the participation of marginalized groups in the up-coming elections. CODEO further commends the EC for coming out with clear timelines for the local government elections.
Recommendations
In view of the above findings, CODEO recommends the following:
�The EC should as much as possible stick to the new timelines for the 2015 local government elections to boost public confidence in the local government elections;
�The EC should enhance its public education on the elections to create more awareness about it;
�The NCCE should continue to support awareness creation about the elections while boosting the participation of marginalized groups; and
�The Media should support the promotion of public interest in the elections through its various channels and programs.
CODEO will continue to observe the pre-election environment and inform the general public through monthly press releases on activities and preparations of stakeholders towards the up-coming local government elections. CODEO�s comprehensive observation of the 2015 local government elections has been made possible with the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ghana.
Signed.
Mr. Albert Kofi Arhin
CODEO Coordinator
(For and on behalf of CODEO)
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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