CODEO puts things straight on the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election



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The Coalition of National Election Observers (CODEO) issued a statement on false statements by the Ghana Electoral Commission regarding the closing statement of the by-election in the constituency of Ayawaso West Wuogon.

"CODEO follows a strict protocol and has therefore always been careful to ensure that its closing report and other reports record and reflect only what is factually and simultaneously observed and documented by observers and the team that are badigned to him, "the statement said. .

The statement continues: CODEO does not rely on third-party accounts or unsubstantiated third-party accounts. CODEO is surprised that the Ghana Electoral Commission attributed to it allegations or badertions not stated in its initial statement in a press release and at a press conference apparently in reaction to CODEO's statement. .

Read the full statement below:

On the evening of Thursday, January 31, 2019, the Coalition of National Election Observers (CODEO), which had deployed observers for the by – election of the constituency of Ayawaso West Wuogon who held a meeting. is held on that date, has issued its closing statement. CODEO's closing statement usually provides a snapshot of what happens on polling day. In accordance with its practice, CODEO has communicated its initial report on the election not only to the public, through traditional and new media, but also to the Electoral Commission (EC) leadership by e-mail.

CODEO follows a strict protocol and has therefore always ensured that its closing report and other reports record and reflect only the elements observed and documented in a factual and simultaneous way by the observers and the team badigned to them.

CODEO does not rely on rumors or unsubstantiated third-party accounts. CODEO is surprised that the Ghana Electoral Commission attributed to it allegations or badertions not stated in its initial statement in a press release and at a press conference apparently in reaction to CODEO's statement. . For the avoidance of doubt, CODEO is adamant that:

1. Contrary to the impression created by the EC regarding the shooting incident in La Bawaleshie, CODEO has not stated anywhere in its statement that the incident of this shootings would have occurred in a POLLING STATION. CODEO made it clear in its statement that "CODEO observers witnessed the violent incident, including a shootout, which occurred in the neighborhood of La Bawaleshie in East Legon". The CODEO statement also did not attempt to involve the Electoral Commission in the shooting. incident, contrary to the EC's claim. CODEO, in fact, pointed out that its observers "could not confirm the exact cause of the violent incident".

2. The Electoral Commission, in its statement also, denied that the violent incident in La Bawaleshie affected the vote. According to the Commission, the incident "did not affect the conduct of the vote in any way". CODEO wishes to reiterate its first observation that, due to the panic and chaos resulting from the gunshot incident, the vote was, in fact, temporarily disrupted in a polling station near the gunshot incident. In fact, a press article concerning an interview with the Electoral Commission's municipal director for Ayawaso West confirms that the vote was interrupted for about 45 minutes following the shooting, before the situation returned to normal (source: https: / /mobile.ghanaweb.com / GhanaHomePage / NewsArchive / Skirmishes in LaBawaleshie-n-had-nothing-to-do-with-vote-Rashid-Nantongma-719788).

3. With regard to the presence of security personnel at the polling stations, CODEO is baffled by the EC's indication that coordination of CO 2 security for the elections; the heavy and intimidating presence of security personnel in various polling stations; demonstration of a lack of understanding of election rules and regulations by plainclothes security personnel ("not in uniform"); and the presence of MASKED security agents in some polling stations. CODEO also wishes to point out that its general comment regarding the deployment of security for the by-election, as stated in its statement, was not limited to existing security personnel, but also to mobile patrol teams. Indeed, the security officers of certain mobile patrol vehicles observed by observers in some polling stations were armed.

4. Regarding the incident that occurred at a polling station of JHS prisons in Roman Ridge, where a uniformed police officer was badaulted for interviewing plainclothes security officers in the office in order for them to reposition themselves, CODEO stands by its observer and is willing to cooperate with the Electoral Commission and security agencies to further investigate the matter.

5. Contrary to the suggestion of the Electoral Commission that CODEO did not paint a general picture of the voting process, CODEO wishes to draw the EC's attention to the paragraph of CODEO's statement which stated that, In addition to the main security concerns Regarding by-elections, "most observers reported a generally smooth voting exercise, including the proper functioning of biometric devices". The CODEO statement also addressed other issues such as the presence of party agents in polling stations and the voter turnout was further confirmed by the official turnout of the EC at the 19.83% by-election.

CODEO further reiterates the point above, namely that its closing statement, which is generally issued at the end of the vote, provides a snapshot of an election. Indeed, CODEO's initial statement made it clear that "CODEO will continue to observe the counting and reporting of results and will publish its preliminary statement in due course".

CODEO wishes to badure the EC and the general public that, in accordance with its usual practice, its final election report, which will provide a full badessment of the by-election, will be released in the coming days. CODEO annexed to this statement its closing statement as published on the evening of Thursday 31 January 2019.

CODEO also wishes to badure the Ghana Electoral Commission, the electoral stakeholders and the general public that its commitment to impartiality, objectivity and neutrality remains unshakable and that its sole interest in the electoral processes of Ghana is country is the promotion and guarantee of electoral integrity. In this regard, CODEO's compliance efforts aim to complement the EC's efforts to ensure electoral credibility. In fulfilling this responsibility, CODEO has always striven to cooperate and in good faith with the Electoral Commission, as CODEO does not see itself in a confrontational relationship with the EC, but with the ultimate aim of ensuring transparency, elections and the management of credible and peaceful elections in Ghana.

Signed: Albert Arhin, National Coordinator, CODEO

Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2019 3

APPENDIX CONDUCT OF THE REDUCTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE AYAWASO WEST WUOGON CONSTITUTION: DECLARATION: CODEO QUESTIONS ON SAFETY PROVISIONS FOR POLLS

The National Election Observer Coalition (CODEO) observed today's by-election in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in the Greater Accra region. CODEO observers visited more than half of the polling stations in all constituencies in the constituency. Observers spent an average of two hours in each polling station and observed the preparation and voting process. Highlights of CODEO's findings at the end of the closing of the polls are:

· CODEO observers witnessed the violent incident, including the shooting, which took place in the neighborhood of La Bawaleshie in East Legon. Although observers could not confirm the exact cause of the violent incident, CODEO is disappointed that an election exercise was subjected to such violence that temporarily disrupted the vote. · Observers noted a generally low voter turnout throughout the constituency.

· At the beginning of the elections, political party agents were present at most polling stations, particularly the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). CODEO observers, however, noted the subsequent withdrawal of some of the polling stations observed among NDC agents.

· CODEO is also concerned about the apparent lack of secure security coordination for the election: o Observers have noted several instances of intense – and intimidating – security presence in most security offices. vote observed. Many polling stations had no less than five uniformed security personnel, and in some cases up to 15 people. security personnel in uniform. At the Christian Book Center in East Legon, nine (9) uniformed security personnel and other uniformed security personnel could be seen in the two adjacent polling stations. o Many polling stations also had plainclothes security officers, some of whom claimed to be national security agents. o Some polling stations had separate security teams from the police, the immigration department and "national security". o Polling stations were attended by mobile patrol teams made up of security personnel, sometimes at intervals of less than 30 minutes.

National Election Observers Coalition (CODEO)

CONTACT

Mr Albert Arhin, secretariat of CODEO's national coordinator

+233 (0) 244 350 266/0277 744 777

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.codeoghana.org

DECLARATION ON THE REGISTER OF ELECTORS 4

· Even more worrying was the presence of masked security officers in polling stations, who were difficult to identify and could not therefore be held responsible for any conduct whatsoever.

· Some security officers not wearing the uniform have demonstrated a lack of understanding of electoral rules and regulations. In JHS prisons in Roman Ridge, for example, security officers claiming to be national security agents positioned themselves next to the tellers and when a uniformed police officer posted them to warn them of their presence. away from poll officials, a van filled with other so-called security officers went down on the police officer and attacked him for carrying out legitimate work.

· In addition to the incidents listed above, most observers reported a generally smooth voting exercise, including the proper functioning of biometric devices. Conclusions CODEO questions this high level and, what seems to be, an uncoordinated security arrangement and a presence in elections. Unlike previous agreements that appear to have worked well for the country during the elections, CODEO is not sure of the possible role of the electoral security working group in this election.

CODEO is dissatisfied with the intimidating presence of security personnel, particularly masked security guards, in the various polling stations.

CODEO also calls on the Ghana Police Service, the Minister of National Security, the Minister of the Interior and the entire security system of the country to conduct prompt investigations into the violence that has erupted more early in the day in La Bawaleshie and take the appropriate action. It is imperative that all security agencies immediately review the security arrangements put in place for the election, in order to understand what has happened today with regard to the deployment of personnel and security. 39, improve safety planning for similar exercises in the future.

Finally, CODEO is asking the Electoral Commission and security agencies to hear from the NEC about their concerns about the electoral process that has led them to boycott the elections and investigate any valid concerns they may have. CODEO will continue to observe the count and statement of results and will issue its preliminary statement in due course.

Signed: Albert Arhin, National Coordinator, CODEO

Dated Thursday, January 31, 2018

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