CODEO affirms integrity of 2024 presidential election results in Ghana
Human Rights Reporters
2 min read
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has confirmed that the results announced by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the December 7, 2024, presidential elections accurately represent the choices of Ghanaian voters.
This confirmation was made during a press conference last night by Rev. Fred Deegbe, Co-Chair of CODEO. Through its Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology, CODEO has reinforced public confidence in the electoral process across the country.
Prior to the elections, on December 6, CODEO committed to utilizing the PVT, a scientific method that has been implemented since 2008 to assess the reliability of election results. By midnight on December 7, CODEO had successfully gathered and analyzed voting data from 1,500 observers stationed at polling locations nationwide.
Key Findings
The PVT estimates revealed that former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) received 56.9% of the votes, while Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) garnered 41.3%.
These results align closely with the official figures released by the EC for 267 constituencies, with a margin of error of ±1.2%, enhancing the credibility of the electoral outcomes.
CODEO also reported an estimated voter turnout of 63.9%, which surpasses the EC’s official turnout rate of 60.9% for the same constituencies. Furthermore, CODEO’s estimate of rejected ballots at 2.1% closely matched the EC’s reported figure of 2.09%, further validating the election results.
Observations and Challenges
During the election process, CODEO observed that representatives from both the NDC and NPP were present at 99% of polling stations, ensuring that voting procedures were adhered to in accordance with Ghana’s electoral laws. Despite this, the organization noted several disturbing incidents of violence and intimidation after voting ended, including the destruction of an EC collation center in Damongo, which disrupted the results collation process.
In response to these incidents, CODEO condemned all acts of violence and called on political leaders to foster peaceful engagement among their supporters, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic values. They also urged law enforcement agencies to maintain order and ensure compliance with the law in the aftermath of the elections.
Recommendations for Future Elections
As Ghana evaluates the outcome of the 2024 elections, CODEO encouraged the EC and all stakeholders to reflect on the lessons learned to enhance future electoral processes. Their recommendations include improving voter education, refining election administration logistics, and implementing proactive measures to prevent violence during elections.
CODEO expressed gratitude to the thousands of citizens who volunteered as election observers and praised the professionalism of security agencies throughout the election.
In conclusion, CODEO remains committed to promoting a strong democratic process in Ghana, ensuring that every citizen’s voice is respected and valued in the electoral journey.
About CODEO
Founded in 2000 under the auspices of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), CODEO is a non-partisan coalition of 42 organizations dedicated to ensuring transparent, free, fair, and peaceful elections in Ghana.
CODEO’s extensive network mobilizes citizens to participate actively in the electoral process, thus reinforcing the integrity of Ghana’s democracy.
Source:Joseph Kobla Wemakor
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