CODEO urges EC to adopt open registration format

Accra, July 16, GNA - The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO), on Thursday urged the Electoral Commission (EC) to adopt an open registration system to capture statistics for the compilation of the voters' register for future elections.

The periodic revision of the voters' register accounted largely for some of the operational challenges, multiple registration, registration of minors and foreigners during the last Elections, Professor Miranda Greenstreet, Co-Chair of CODEO, stated in Accra.

She was speaking at the official launch of CODEO's final report on Ghana's 2008 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, with Justice V.C.R.A.C. Crabbe, the Statute Law Revision Commissioner, at the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General's Department. She commended the EC for initiating plans to use Biometric Technology in future voter registration exercises. The 108-page book was launched by Nana Dr Susubiribi Krobea B. Asante, Omanhene of Asokore Traditional Area in the Ashanti Region. The report urged EC to set up a reliable timetable and strictly adhere to its stipulated electoral deadlines, especially in each election year.

It noted that the compression of Election 2008 calendar resulted in an undue rush in the implementation of some electoral activities. The EC was also tasked to adopt a more robust mechanism to recruit competent and non-partisan officials and provide them with thorough training in electoral rules and procedures.

"EC must also down-size some of the polling stations with large numbers of voters, particularly in the urban centres to reduce undue delays and long queues formed at polling stations on Election Day. "EC must devise an improved strategy, including the assistance of credible logistics companies, to forestall shortages and delays in transporting election materials in future." EC must rigidly enforce its rules on political parties as well as regulations surrounding the conduct of elections and decisively deal with those who breach the laws.

CODEO also reprimanded the leadership of political parties for their failure to seriously educate their supporters on conflict prevention, adherence to the political party's code of conduct and general knowledge in rules and regulations governing elections. The report urged political parties to strengthen internal democratic structures by reviewing their ground rules, to ensure conformity to the provisions of the 1992 Constitution and democratic practices.

According to the CODEO report the security agencies especially the Police should show courage and pro-activeness in arresting and prosecuting election related offenders brought to them to serve as deterrent to other persons in future elections. The report criticised the media, especially radio stations with partisan affiliation, for their biased reportage, and said "they must desist from using their platforms to incite supporters for unlawful acts and provocative behaviour during election period and, indeed, at all times".

CODEO therefore tasked the National Media Commission and the Ghana Journalists Association to be firm in applying their rules and also devise an effective mechanism that will check and promptly sanction media establishments that contravene it. "It's important for NMC and GJA to strengthen their oversight rules and regulations, even if it means amending them, in order to be effective in dealing with recalcitrant ones," the report stated. 16 July 09