<<Print>>The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), James Oppong-Boanuh and his outfit to ensure that all individuals who perpetrate violence during the elections face the full rigors of the country's laws.
According to a statement by the election observing organization, failure of the Ghana Police Service to ensure people are punished for their crimes will erode public confidence and promote impunity.
CODEO monitored the Electoral Commission's registration and exhibition exercises and their findings showed there were some pockets of violence that should not go without prosecution.
It therefore ''condemns all reported acts of violence which took place during the period of observation. The Coalition reiterates its call on the security agencies to take appropriate action against all perpetrators of violence''.
''CODEO reminds the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of the need to share updates with the public on the progress of all cases of election-related violence as failure to ensure people are punished for their crimes will further erode public confidence and encourage impunity.''
The group also admonished the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure no voter is denied the right to cast his or her ballot during the December 7 elections, stressing the Commission should rectify all mistakes in the voter register.
''CODEO entreats the EC to take all necessary steps to rectify the identified challenges with the provisional voter register so that all registered voters are able to exercise their right to vote. While the Coalition acknowledges the public explanations provided by the EC regarding the challenges identified with the provisional voter register, the Coalition believes there are still gaps in stakeholder engagement and communication. The Coalition therefore entreats the EC to enhance stakeholder engagement, not just around the voter register but on the entire electoral process to help mobilize public support and promote transparency and inclusion towards achieving a free, fair and credible electoral process.
''The Coalition also entreats the EC to make the updated provisional voter register available to political parties as early as possible to allow for the cross-checking of figures in the bid to promote trust and further ensure that all identified challenges have been rectified before the voter register is certified. The EC is also entreated to provide clear information on results of the Adjudication Review Committee’s work," portions of their statement copied to Peacefmonline.com read.
Read full statement below: