The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has reported an improvement in voter education activities by the Electoral Commission, as reflected in its second pre-election report.
According to CODEO, 26% of the weekly reports during the observation period highlighted EC-led voter education activities in the observed constituencies, up from 12% in the initial report.
The Coalition also stated that observers also noted that civic and voter education was being conducted at community meetings.
“The most frequently used medium for civic and voter education activities were posters (noted in 57% of observer reports during the reporting period compared to 41% in the maiden report), community radio (noted in 50% of observer reports compared to 42% in the previous); and regular radio (50% compared to 39%), followed by street announcements (from 27% to 40% of the observer reports) and peace rallies (from 25% to 32%)”.
Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
The Coalition also noted that the NDC and NPP remain the most active political parties in terms of campaign activities for this election period.
The report revealed that the NPP conducted more house-to-house campaigns than the NDC, with a 3% higher rate.
Meanwhile, the NDC organized more meetings and party marches as part of their campaign efforts compared to the NPP.
According to CODEO, both parties focused their campaign messages primarily on issues such as education, unemployment, the economy, corruption, food and agriculture, water, health and sanitation, crime, and security.
“The campaign messages of the NPP focused mainly on education (according to 88% of observer reports as compared to 77% in the case of the NDC), food and agriculture (60% against 47% for the NDC), and water, health, and sanitation (noted by 58% of reports compared to 54% for the NDC)”.
Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
The Coalition highlighted that the NDC’s campaign messages were more focused on the economy, as reflected in 80% of observer reports, compared to 63% for the NPP.
The NDC also emphasized unemployment (78% versus 77% for the NPP) and corruption (62% versus 25% for the NPP).
Report Highlights Limited Campaign Activity by Minor Parties
Furthermore, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers observed that the report highlighted limited campaign engagement by other political parties and independent candidates.
The report also noted that the key issues addressed by these parties were unemployment, corruption, and education.
Additionally, the Coalition mentioned that observers reported the NPP, NDC, and some independent candidates offering treats, such as food and drinks, to attendees during campaign events.
“A total of 16% of observer reports cited the NPP for giving treats such as food and drink to event attendees, while 12% of the reports indicated similar practices by the NDC. About 2% of observer reports cited independent candidates for providing treats.
“About 30% of observer reports noted instances where attendees to campaign events were provided with free transportation. The NPP was cited in 53% of such reports, followed by the NDC. However, in the instances where observers reported such cases, the NPP was involved in 52% of them, while the NDC was cited in 40%”.
Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO)
CODEO further reported that independent candidates and other political parties were mentioned for such practices in 6% and 2% of the reports, respectively.
The report also highlighted instances of vote-buying, with 10% of the reports during the period indicating that money or valuables were given to influence voters’ choices. “These incidents were observed in some Ashanti, Savannah, and Western constituencies”.
Regarding the abuse of incumbency, the report highlighted instances where incumbent candidates or government appointees may have abused their positions.
According to CODEO, approximately 11% of observer reports noted the use of public (state or local) vehicles for campaigning on behalf of incumbent candidates.
The report cited an example from the Tatale-Sanguli constituency in the Northern Region, where the NPP parliamentary candidate’s flyers were used to promote the government-led District Road Improvement Program (DRIP).
This program involved the distribution of earth-moving equipment to MMDAs for road improvements.
The campaign flyers of the Tatale-Sanguli Member of Parliament and parliamentary candidate were observed on DRIP equipment, such as bulldozers, used for maintaining and expanding roads in the Sagban community.
On election security, the Coalition reported that the political atmosphere remained generally peaceful across the 97 constituencies observed by its monitors. “No incidence of violence, intimidation, or harassment specifically targeting women was noted”.
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