Observers Ok Elections

Ghanalert, an NGO which observed the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections, has described them as largely free and fair.

A press statement signed by its Executive Director, Ben Ephson, said the organisation viewed the elections as a further consolidation of public trust in the institutions and authorities charged with the conduct of the elections.

It observed a few problems like late opening of some polling stations due to late arrival of logistics, possession of ID cards by minors, holders of photo IDs not finding their names on the register and no security personnel at some polling stations.

Also, there were no challenge forms at some polling stations and the unavailability of vehicles to cart election materials to and from some polling stations.

Some interesting incidents observed included a man who pulled out a pistol and threatened to shoot officials at a polling station in the Ewutu Senya Constituency because his name could not be found in the register. He was arrested by the police.

At Bolgatanga, in the Upper East Region, a woman was prevented from voting because she was carrying a key holder embossed with a political party logo.

Again at Mankraso, in the Ashanti Region, a woman whose voter ID number tallied with that of a person said to be dead, cursed the polling officials for wishing her dead.

GHANALERT said it would summit its observations to its funding agencies and the Electoral Commission.