Senior Research Analyst at the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), Madam Rhoda Osei-Afful, has raised serious concerns about allegations of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices during the special voting exercise.
Speaking on key findings from CODEO’s observation report, she stressed the implications of these incidents on the integrity of elections and outlined recommendations to address these challenges ahead of the December 7 polls.
While Madam Rhoda acknowledged the generally smooth conduct of the special voting exercise, she expressed alarm over reported cases of vote-buying and misconduct by individuals expected to uphold the electoral process.
“If you are looking at the integrity of elections, then we cannot just gloss over these incidents, however isolated they may be.”
Senior Research Analyst at the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
One particularly troubling report highlighted instances where some security personnel photographed their ballots to claim monetary rewards afterward. She queried;
“This is very serious; What are they going to do when they see others do that? These are people who were voting [early] so that they can go and police the process. So, it’s so worrying that we are seeing some of the things that we’ve seen, material inducement is something that we cannot condone.’’
Rhoda Osei-Afful Senior Research Analyst at the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
CODEO’s findings indicated specific cases of vote-buying in constituencies such as Keta in the Volta Region and the Weija Gbawe constituency.
Meanwhile, In the Weija Gbawe constituency, individuals believed to be NPP party representatives were seen at polling station gates giving out 100 to 500 cedis to voters to cast their vote for the NPP candidate.
Madam Rhoda also highlighted the contentious incident in Ayawaso West Wuogon, where the sitting MP, Lydia Alhassan, was accused of distributing food packs to voters.
Although her aide denied the allegations, the incident has led to calls for investigations.
“We are expecting that the relevant authorities, especially the Ghana Police Service, would be able to take some of these issues up. If we are not able to hear anything between now to Saturday, what [would] be the signal that we are giving out to people?’’
Rhoda Osei-Afful Senior Research Analyst at the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
Electoral Officials and Police Misconduct
Another alarming finding in CODEO’s report was the involvement of electoral officials and police officers in misconduct.
Moreover, in the Upper East Region’s Navrongo Central constituency, an EC official and a police officer were reportedly seen taking photographs of their ballots.
“These are people you know they are aware of the process and the rules. So, if we’ve seen them involved in these violations then it is worrying.’’
Rhoda Osei-Afful Senior Research Analyst at the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
Osei-Afful urged immediate action from key institutions to address these issues.
“The electoral Commission too should be able to do their bid. In terms of voter education [and] communications with polls officials.’’
Madam Rhoda stressed the need for the Ghana Police Service to investigate reported cases and hold perpetrators accountable. He emphasized; “The earlier we see some action from these institutions, the better it will be for all of us.”
Rhoda Osei-Afful Senior Research Analyst at the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
CODEO called on the EC and the Ghana Police Service to provide clear guidelines and training for their officials to prevent future violations.
“If you were at Ayawaso West Wuogon and saw these parliamentary candidates, as an electoral official, as a presiding officer, what would you do?
Rhoda Osei-Afful Senior Research Analyst at the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
She noted that the special voting exercise, often seen as a dress rehearsal for the main election, has heightened concerns about potential malpractices during the December 7 polls.
She also proposed that an independent body might be necessary to investigate allegations of vote-buying, given the complicity of some police personnel in certain cases.
“We [want] to go into this election and come out of it with the idea that it has a free, fair, and credible process. And that, we would not come back with issues lingering on our minds as to whether we had a [fair] processes at all.’’
Rhoda Osei-Afful Senior Research Analyst at the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
Madam Rhoda Osei-Afful’s observations underscore the urgent need for decisive action to protect the integrity of Ghana’s electoral process.
From addressing vote-buying to ensuring the accountability of electoral officials, her recommendations highlight the critical steps required to restore public confidence ahead of the December elections.
READ ALSO; Funke Akindele Appointed UNAIDS National Goodwill Ambassador
