The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on the Ghana Police Service to “take a swift action” on the incidents of malpractices recorded during the special voting exercise on Monday.
During the December 02, 2024 special voting for media personnel, security officers and other persons whose roles on election day may not permit them to vote, some persons were found inducing voters whilst others sought to capture their cast ballots on camera.
One of such incidents was when the Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, was captured on camera distributing water and food with her aides to voters in a queue at the Legon polling station.
Although there is video evidence of her engaging in the act, she denied knowledge of the incident.
In a report issued by CODEO Tuesday, December 03, 2024, it condemned the incidents of vote-buying and photographing of the ballots which contravenes the ethics at polling centres.
It described the incidents as worrying, especially when EC officials and security officers present looked on without taking any action to prevent them.
“CODEO is alarmed by the observed incidents of vote-buying and the photographing of cast ballots. It is concerning that some presiding officers and security officers did nothing to stop the violations.
“The Coalition is calling on the Ghana Police Service to take swift action against all such cases, including those reported in the media,” portions of the Coalition’s statement indicated.
It called on the respective stakeholders to issue directives on how election officials and security officers should conduct themselves when such developments come up on Saturday, December 07, when the general election takes place.
“As a matter of urgency, the EC and the National Election Security Task Force must issue strict directives to presiding officers and security offices on what actions to take when they witness election offences.
“This will help forestall similar occurrences during the December 7 polls. CODEO urges the Ghana Police Service to update the public on any such actions. CODEO acknowledges the interest taken by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in these matters,” it added.
Dec 7 elections: CODEO observes vote-buying in Ashanti, Savannah and Western regions
