UK election group commends EC

A UK election observation group, ERIS UK Election Observation Mission on Wednesday commended the Electoral Commission for conducting the December 7 elections in an organised and transparent manner.

A statement issued in Accra by the Mission said the elections were both lively and peaceful despite the dominance of the two main parties, the NDC and NPP, during the campaign.

"On election day mission members observed the opening of the polls, voting and counting processes, in Accra and the regions. Although long queues formed at many polling stations Ghanaians waited patiently and voting took place in a generally peaceful and orderly environment."

The good co-operation between election officials and candidate agents was a notable feature that contributed significantly to the positive atmosphere, the statement added.

The Mission, however, expressed regret on the decision of the Supreme Court to delay until January 17, 2001 the publication of the detailed reasons for its judgement on the issue of voter ID cards.

The statement said given the high public interest regarding this aspect of the election process, the mission believes that in the interests of openness and transparency the Supreme Court should have, at the very least, given outline reasoning for its decision.

The 10-member mission that was established in November this year said it hopes the single election and simplified procedures of the second round presidential election would speed up the processing of the results and declaration of the winner.

It has proposed to remain in Ghana until the run off has been completed.