KANDIFO INSTITUTE has released its situational Report of the just ended election by its Observers.
According to a Release signed by its, Executive Director Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, he noted that generally Observers did not notice any major incident around Ho, Hohoe, Ketu North, Bolga Central and Sawla-Tuna Kalba.
He also averred that, the Institute in this preliminary situational report, confirm that the arrangements put in place by the EC for the setup and opening of polls were adequate for most polling stations.
“As a credible think tank, Kandifo Institute is continuing to receive reports from its network of nationally and will continue to release updated reports.”
Read Report Below:
SITUATIONAL REPORT DURING ELECTION BY OBSERVERS FROM KANDIFO INSTITUTE
INTRODUCTION
On Monday, 7th December, 2020 as part of the Institute’s civic responsibility observed the proceedings of the 8th Peaceful General Elections in Ghana.
The Executive Director, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah voted in Eastern Region and was the first person to exercise his Democratic rights. In his official twitter account he commends the Electoral Commission for ensuring that no single Ghanaian is disenfranchised in this process.
This situational report gives highlights of Kandifo’s findings regarding the conduct of the presidential and the parliamentary elections. It gives the updates of some information that were made available to the general public during the day and also the close of polls and also information from the ground who are eye witnesses as well.
- Kandifo Institute noticed that (98.2%) of the officials were present at their assigned polling stations.
- Most of the polling stations (72.5%) had the required number of election officials (6). Another 18.6% had 5 officials, 5.9% had 4 officials, and 2.3% had 1 to 3 officials.
Out of 33,662 polling stations, the institute had observers in about 7000 polling stations in areas of Ho, Hohoe, Ketu North, Bolga Central and Sawla-Tuna Kalba and other polling stations scatted around Greater Accra Region.
Set-up for Polls
- Kandifo Institute noticed that 99.8% of polling stations were set-up to allow voters to mark their ballots in secret. They also reported that 90% of all polling stations were accessible to persons with disabilities and the elderly.
- Kandifo Institute noticed that seeing polling agents of the two main political parties present in almost all polling stations. 80% of the polling stations had only representatives from the two major parties which is the NPP and NDC.
- Kandifo Institutes’ situational report showed that 99% of the polling stations had the sensitive materials available (i.e., the ballot box, ballot papers, indelible ink, voting screen, validating stamp, ink pad, endorsing ink, and tactile ballot papers).
- In all the polling stations Kandifo Institute noticed that ballot booklets had serial numbers in numeric order.
- Kandifo Institute could confirm that in all polling stations the presidential and parliamentary ballot boxes were shown to be empty, sealed, and placed in public view before the commencement of voting.
- All the polling stations we witnessed had biometric devices to work with.
- About 93% of the polling stations we observed showed that voting commenced on time and about 7% couldn’t start on time.
- Kandifo Institute found COVID-19 safety materials available at most polling stations of 99% (i.e., thermometer gun, 95%; handwashing facility (soap & water), 80%; hand sanitizer, 93%; scanner wipes, 78% but 72% lacked the observation of social distancing). Less than 1% of polling stations lacked these protocols.
Reported incidents
Generally we did not notice any major incident around Ho, Hohoe, Ketu North, Bolga Central and Sawla-Tuna Kalba.
Conclusion
From the foregoing, Kandifo Institute in this preliminary situational report can confidently confirm that the arrangements put in place by the EC for the setup and opening of polls were adequate for most polling stations.
As a credible think tank, Kandifo Institute is continuing to receive reports from its network of nationally and will continue to release updated reports.
Finally, Kandifo Institute appeals to all Ghanaians to remain calm and be law-abiding throughout the country and continue to respect the COVID-19 safety protocols.
Signed,
Palgrave Boakye-Danquah
Executive Director
Kandifo Institute