2008 Ghana Run-Off Elections - Interim Statement

Ghana Presidential Run-Off Election

28 December 2008

Interim Statement by Rt. Hon Baroness Valerie Amos

Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer Group

30 December 2008

The Commonwealth Observer Group continued to follow developments here in Ghana between the two rounds of the election and was reconstituted for the run-off election.

As stated in our first round Interim Statement, this presidential election is significant and transitional in terms of Ghana’s maturing democracy. It will be the second time one elected leader will hand over political power to another.

The Observer Group welcomes the initiatives taken by the Electoral Commission between 7 and 28 December to improve the efficiency of electoral procedures. Building on many of the positives from the first round, and addressing some of the negatives, these efforts helped to ensure that the electoral process was robust and credible and met the benchmarks for democratic elections to which Ghana has committed itself.

During the campaign for the run-off election the Commonwealth Observer Group heard many concerns regarding the alleged use of money and patronage to induce support. Such practices can have a harmful effect on the environment in which an election is conducted.

The overall conduct of the campaign between the two rounds of the election was generally orderly, but allegations of irregularities in the Ashanti region relating to the special voting process held on 22 December was of concern. The readiness of crowds of people to gather to protest on the basis of rumours and allegations, rather than rely on institutional mechanisms to address issues of concern, was a feature on polling day itself.

The issue of ethnicity, which had not featured prominently in the campaign ahead of the first round, took on a higher profile in the lead up to the run-off election.

Though the run-off election did not witness the large numbers of voters seen at the opening of the poll in the first round, voters did turn out in similar numbers throughout the day demonstrating their determination and interest in enhancing Ghana’s democratic credentials through a smooth transfer of power.

We noted in our first round interim statement that delays occurred in a number of areas due to the late arrival of materials. The Group welcomes the improvements made for the run-off election in the provision and management of polling materials which enabled a greater number of stations to open on time. The alphabetical organisation of the voter register, continued provision of information to electors on voting processes by Election Commission officials, the presence and clear identification of party agents were all positive new features for the run-off election.

Some problems did persist with the uneven allocation of voters to polling stations or presence of too few polling booths in some densely populated areas. This did not seem to hamper the efficiency of voting, although it led to long waiting times for some voters.

We commend the professionalism and dedication displayed by Election Commission officials. Their conduct enabled voting to take place efficiently in stations observed by the Group, and, working closely with security personnel, they were able to resolve many issues and incidences on the ground when required.

The Group also welcomes the conduct of security personnel overall. However, the Group is concerned that their high profile in some areas of the country the day prior to the run-off election may have been intimidating for some sections of the electorate.

Issues relating to the increasingly contentious political environment in which the run-off election took place and the conduct of the media in fuelling suspicions, however, urgently need to be addressed.

The Group was disappointed that the persistent circulation of rumours of malpractice escalated during the course of the day and could have eroded voters’ confidence in the electoral process. The Group was particularly concerned that unverified accusations of malpractice made by individuals, as well as by representatives of the political parties, were aired repeatedly by some sections of the broadcast media. The rumours fuelled suspicions and unnecessarily heightened tension in some constituencies and led to a number of minor incidents resulting from gatherings of hostile crowds.

The immediate post-election environment is calm and we hope a spirit of peace and cooperation will prevail. With such a competitive election, the next President of Ghana will be required to unify the country and represent all citizens of Ghana.

A strong democracy is one in which differences can be resolved through established institutions and systems in which the people have confidence and trust. That is what the people of Ghana wish to see.

The Commonwealth Observer Group hopes that Ghana’s future government will consolidate Ghana’s democratic gains further and foster political inclusiveness and cooperation. The Group urges Ghana’s political leaders and citizens to respect the independence of the Electoral Commission and recognise its mandate with respect to the announcement of the results.

Information

The Commonwealth Observers for the run-off election were:

• Chair – Rt. Hon Baroness Valerie Amos, Former Leader of the House of Lords (United Kingdom)

• Mr. O.O. Akeredolu SAN, President, Nigerian Bar Association (Nigeria)

• Mr. Algassimu Sahid Jarr, Commissioner, National Electoral Commission (Sierra Leone)

• Ms Cynthia Barrow-Giles, Lecturer, University of the West Indies & Member of the Constitutional Reform Commission (St Lucia)

There was also a three-person staff team.

For the run-off election Commonwealth teams covered Greater Accra, Ashanti, Western, and Eastern regions. The teams covered 108 polling stations in 20 constituencies in total.

The Commonwealth Observer Group co-operated closely with the African Union, Carter Centre, ECOWAS, l’Organisation International de la Francophonie, Pan African Parliamentary Group, and CODEO the domestic observer coalition, which also observed and assessed the election.

The Final Report by the Commonwealth Observer Group on the entire electoral process will be issued shortly and made available to stakeholders, Commonwealth Governments and on the website of the Secretariat: www.thecommonwealth.org

For media enquiries:

Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Head of Africa Section, Commonwealth Secretariat

Tel (Accra): +233 241 949198/ Tel (London): +44 207 747 6398

Email: a.oke@commonwealth.int