DOCSLIB.ORG

Ghana's 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Ghana's 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) Final Observation Report on Ghana’s 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections TABLE OF CONTENT Table of Content .......................................................................................................................i List of Acronyms ....................................................................................................................iv Preface .....................................................................................................................................v Acknowledgment ..................................................................................................................vii Executive Summary ................................................................................................................1 Key Findings ...........................................................................................................................1 CODEO and Stakeholders’ Review of the 2016 Elections General Recommendations .....................................................................................................5 CHAPTER ONE (1): INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO GHANA’S 2016 GENERAL ELECTIONS .....................................................................................................8 1.0 Introduction .......................................................................................................................8 1.1 Political Background to Ghana’s 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections ............8 CHAPTER TWO (2): THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2016 ELECTIONS .....................................................................................................13 2.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................13 2.1 The Legal Framework for the Conduct of Elections in Ghana .......................................13 2.2 The Electoral Commission ..............................................................................................15 2.3.5 Controversy over Cleaning of Voter Register ..............................................................17 2.3.4 The 2016 Limited Voter Registration Exercise ............................................................17 2.3.5 The Exhibition of the Voter Register ............................................................................18 2.3.6 Nomination of Candidates ............................................................................................18 CHAPTER THREE (3): CODEO AND ITS INTERVENTIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE 2016 ELECTIONS-AN OVERVIEW .......................................................................20 3.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................20 3.1 CODEO and Election Observation over the Years ..........................................................20 3.1.1 Objectives of CODEO ..................................................................................................21 3.2 Preparations for the 2016 Elections: Revitalizing for Effective Engagement .................22 3.3 Launch of CODEO Election 2016 Project ......................................................................22 3.4 CODEO and Stakeholder Visitations/Consultations .......................................................23 CHAPTER FOUR (4): OBSERVING THE PRE-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT ......24 4.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................24 4.1 The Importance of Pre-Election Observation ..................................................................24 4.2 CODEO’s Pre-Election Environment Observation Activities .........................................24 4.3 Highlights of Findings from Observation of the 2016 Pre-election Environment ..........25 4.5 The 2016 Special Voting Exercise ...................................................................................31 4.6 CODEO’s Recommendations ..........................................................................................31 i Final Report on Ghana’s 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) CHAPTER FIVE (5): CODEO’S PREPARATION TOWARDS ELECTION DAY OBSERVATION ..................................................................................................................34 5.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................34 5.1 Development of Observer Training Materials (Manuals and Observation Checklists) ..34 5.2 Recruitment and Training of Field Personnel (Regional Coordinators, Constituency Supervisors and Election-Day Observers) ............................................................................34 5.3 Accreditation for CODEO Election Observers ...............................................................36 5.4 Setting up of the CODEO Observation Center ...............................................................36 5.5 Simulation Exercise .........................................................................................................36 5.6 CODEO’s Election Day Observation, Deployment and Reporting Strategy ..................36 CHAPTER SIX (6): CODEO’S ELECTION-DAY FINDINGS .....................................38 6.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................38 6.1 Analysis and Findings .....................................................................................................39 6.2 Voting Irregularities and Incidents ..................................................................................41 6.3 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................42 CHAPTER SEVEN (7): CODEO’S PARALLEL VOTE TABULATION OF THE 2016 ELECTIONS - KEY FINDINGS .......................................................................................43 7.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................43 7.1 The PVT as a Tool for Election Observation ................................................................43 7.2 Conducting a PVT for the 2016 Elections ....................................................................44 7.3 The 2016 PVT Sample ..................................................................................................44 7.4 Training, Deployment and Observation by CODEO PVT Observers ...........................46 7.5 CODEO’s 2016 PVT Findings (as released on December 10, 2016) and the EC’s Official Results (announced on December 9, 2016) ...........................................................................46 7.6 2016 PVT Findings from the 1,491 Polling Stations and Official Results from all 275 Constituencies .......................................................................................................................48 7.7 The 2016 PVT Findings from 1,499 Polling Stations vs. Official Results from 275 Constituencies .......................................................................................................................48 7.8 2016 PVT Estimates in comparison with Past PVT and Official Election Results .......50 7.9 2016 PVT Consistency Checks .....................................................................................52 7.10 Conclusions ...................................................................................................................53 CHAPTER EIGHT (8): CODEO POST-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT OBSERVATION AND REVIEW ACTIVITIES ...............................................................54 8.0 Introduction .....................................................................................................................54 8.1 Post-Election Environment Observation .........................................................................54 8.2 Deployment of Post-Election Observers .........................................................................56 8.3 Key Observations ............................................................................................................56 8.5 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................58 Final Report on Ghana’s 2016 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections ii Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) CHAPTER NINE (9): CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................59 9.0 Introduction ..............................................................................................................59 9.1 General Commendations...........................................................................................59 9.3 General Recommendations .......................................................................................61 9.4 General Conclusions .................................................................................................63 LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A: Codeo External Communication for Elections 2016 Project Activities .....66 APPENDIX B: Members of the Codeo Advisory Board ......................................................73 APPENDIX C: List of CODEO Member Organizations for the 2016 Elections .................73 APPENDIX D: CODEO 2016 Sub-Committees and
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Intra-Party Democracy in Ghana's Fourth Republic
    Journal of Power, Politics & Governance December 2014, Vol. 2, No. 3 & 4, pp. 57-75 ISSN: 2372-4919 (Print), 2372-4927 (Online) Copyright © The Author(s). 2014. All Rights Reserved. Published by American Research Institute for Policy Development DOI: 10.15640/jppg.v2n3-4a4 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.15640/jppg.v2n3-4a4 Intra-Party Democracy in Ghana’s Fourth Republic: the case of the New Patriotic Party and National Democratic Congress Emmanuel Debrah1 Abstract It is argued that political parties must be internally democratic in order to promote democracy within society. This article examines the extent to which the two leading Ghanaian political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that have alternated power, nurtured and promoted democratic practices within their internal affairs. While the parties have democratized channels for decision-making and choosing of leaders and candidates, the institutionalization of patron-client relationships has encouraged elite control, violence and stifled grassroots inclusion, access to information, fair competition and party cohesion. A multifaceted approach including the adoption of deliberative and decentralized decision-making, the mass-voting and vertical accountability would neutralize patronage tendencies for effective intra-party democracy. Keywords: Intra-party democracy; leadership and candidate selection; patronage politics; political parties; Ghana 1. Introduction Ghana made a successful transition from authoritarian to democratic rule in 1992. Since then, democratic governance has been firmly entrenched. Of the forces that have shaped Ghana’s democracy, political parties have been acknowledged (Debrah and Gyimah-Boadi, 2005). They have not only offered the voters choices between competing programs at elections but also provided cohesion to the legislature.
    [Show full text]
  • Entry Requirements for Nursing Programmes
    2020/2021 INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATIONS INTO HEALTH TRAINING INSTITUTIONS MINISTRY OF HEALTH The Ministry of Health wishes to inform the general public the online admissions portal for the 2020/2021 th th academic year will officially open from Monday 17 February, 2020 to Saturday 30 May, 2020. Applications are invited from qualified candidates for entry into any of the Public Health Training Institutions in Ghana. Applicants must: 1. Purchase application codes from any Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) or Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) branch at a cost of One Hundred Ghana Cedis (GH¢100.00). (This includes the cost of verification of results, SMS alerts and all other correspondence). th NB: i. All purchased vouchers are valid up to 10 June, 2020 if not used. ii. No postage envelopes are required as all correspondence will be via SMS or E-mail. 2. Upon payment, applicants will receive a voucher giving them a unique PIN and Serial Number. 3. Have a dedicated phone number and a personal valid e-mail address for all correspondence. [Please NOTE: Do not use email address of relations] 4. You will need you residential and Ghana Post Digital Address 5. Use the PIN code and Serial to access the application form online at https://healthtraining.gov.gh 6. Note that the online registration form is accessible only by the PIN and self-created password. 7. Follow the instructions carefully and fill the relevant stages of the admission process once the online application is opened. 8. Use the PIN and Serial Number to track the status of the admission process.
    [Show full text]
  • The Composite Budget of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly for the 2015
    REPUBLIC OF GHANA THE COMPOSITE BUDGET OF THE TEMA METROPOLITAN ASSEMBLY FOR THE 2015 FISCAL YEAR 1 A. INTRODUCTION 1. Section 92 (3) of the local Government Act (Act 462) envisages the implementation of the composite budget system under which the budgets of the departments of the District Assemblies would be integrated into the budgets of the District Assemblies. The District Composite Budgeting system would achieve the following amongst others: Establish an effective integrated budgeting system which supports intended goals, expectation and performance of government; Deepen the uniform approach to planning, budgeting, auditing, monitoring, evaluation and financial reporting; Facilitate harmonized development and introduce fiscal prudence in the management of public funds at the MMDA level. Establish total inflow and outflow of resources at the MMDA level. Facilitate holistic development of the MMDA. 2. In 2011, Government directed all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to commence the preparation of composite budget. This policy initiative will upscale full implementation of fiscal decentralization and ensure that the utilisation of all public resources at the local level takes place in an efficient, effective, transparent and accountable manner for improved service delivery. 3. The Composite Budget of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly for the 2015 Fiscal Year has been prepared from the 2015 Annual Action Plan for the 2014-2017 Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) which is aligned to the National Medium Term Development Policy Framework (2014-2017). The Main thrust of the Budget is to accelerate the growth and development of the Metro. Economy. B. BACKGROUND Establishment 2 4. The Tema Metropolitan Assembly, (TMA) was created from the erstwhile Tema Municipal Assembly in 2007 with the promulgation of Legislative Instrument (LI) 1929.
    [Show full text]
  • Fair Measure of the Right to Vote: a Comparative Perspective on Voting Rights Enforcement in a Maturing Democracy
    SCHOOL OF LAW LEGAL STUDIES RESEARCH PAPER SERIES PAPER #10-0186 JUNE 2010 FAIR MEASURE OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE: A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE ON VOTING RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT IN A MATURING DEMOCRACY JANAI S. NELSON EMAIL COMMENTS TO: [email protected] ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW 8000 UTOPIA PARKWAY QUEENS, NY 11439 This paper can be downloaded without charge at: The Social Science Research Network Electronic Paper Collection http://ssrn.com/abstract=1628798 DO NOT CITE OR CIRCULATE WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF AUTHOR ———————————————————————————————————— FAIR MEASURE OF THE RIGHT TO VOTE ———————————————————————————————————— Fair Measure of the Right to Vote: A Comparative Perspective on Voting Rights Enforcement in a Maturing Democracy Janai S. Nelson ABSTRACT Fair measure of a constitutional norm requires that we consider whether the scope of the norm can be broader than its enforcement. This query is usually answered in one of two ways: some constitutional theorists argue that the scope and enforcement of the norm are co-terminous, while others argue that the norm maintains its original scope and breadth even if it is underenforced. This Article examines the right to vote when it exists as a constitutional norm and is underenforced by both judicial and non-judicial actors. First, I adopt the position that the scope and meaning of a constitutional norm can be greater than its enforcement. Second, I rely on the argument that underenforcement results not only from judicial underenforcement but also from underenforcement by the legislative and administrative actors that are obligated to enforce constitutional norms to the fullest extent. By employing these two principles, this Article analyzes the underenforcement of the right to vote that has evaded the force of some of the most liberal contemporary constitutions.
    [Show full text]
  • Tema Metropolitan
    TEMA METROPOLITAN i Copyright © 2014 Ghana Statistical Service ii PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT No meaningful developmental activity can be undertaken without taking into account the characteristics of the population for whom the activity is targeted. The size of the population and its spatial distribution, growth and change over time, in addition to its socio-economic characteristics are all important in development planning. A population census is the most important source of data on the size, composition, growth and distribution of a country’s population at the national and sub-national levels. Data from the 2010 Population and Housing Census (PHC) will serve as reference for equitable distribution of national resources and government services, including the allocation of government funds among various regions, districts and other sub-national populations to education, health and other social services. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) is delighted to provide data users, especially the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, with district-level analytical reports based on the 2010 PHC data to facilitate their planning and decision-making. The District Analytical Report for the Tema Metropolitan is one of the 216 district census reports aimed at making data available to planners and decision makers at the district level. In addition to presenting the district profile, the report discusses the social and economic dimensions of demographic variables and their implications for policy formulation, planning and interventions. The conclusions and recommendations drawn from the district report are expected to serve as a basis for improving the quality of life of Ghanaians through evidence- based decision-making, monitoring and evaluation of developmental goals and intervention programmes.
    [Show full text]
  • Ghana Marine Canoe Frame Survey 2016
    INFORMATION REPORT NO 36 Republic of Ghana Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development FISHERIES COMMISSION Fisheries Scientific Survey Division REPORT ON THE 2016 GHANA MARINE CANOE FRAME SURVEY BY Dovlo E, Amador K, Nkrumah B et al August 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................... 2 LIST of Table and Figures .................................................................................................................... 3 Tables............................................................................................................................................... 3 Figures ............................................................................................................................................. 3 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 4 1.1 BACKGROUND 1.2 AIM OF SURVEY ............................................................................................................................. 5 2.0 PROFILES OF MMDAs IN THE REGIONS ......................................................................................... 5 2.1 VOLTA REGION .......................................................................................................................... 6 2.2 GREATER ACCRA REGION .........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) CONTACT Mr
    Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) CONTACT Mr. Albert Arhin, CODEO National Coordinator +233 (0) 24 474 6791 / (0) 20 822 1068 Secretariat: +233 (0)244 350 266/ 0277 744 777 Email:[email protected]: Website: www.codeoghana.org CODEO’s Pre-election Environment Observation Statement ( 15th July- 31st August, 2016) STATEMENT ON THE VOTER REGISTER Introduction The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is pleased to release its findings on the pre-election environment for the period mid July to 31st August, 2016. This report is the first in the series of CODEO’s pre-election environment observations for the 2016 presidential and parliamentary elections, and captures bi-weekly reports filed by CODEO’s Long Term Observers (LTOs) deployed across the country. The findings in this report are based on bi-weekly field reports submitted in the month of July and August from 134 out of the 138 constituencies randomly selected from the 10 regions of Ghana. Guided by a checklist, CODEO’s LTOs observe the general political environment, including election-related preparatory activities by state and non-state actors, civic/voter education programs as well as political party campaign activities. The LTOs also observe the conduct of the security agencies, electoral irregularities and pre-election disputes adjudication. Summary of Findings: The National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) and the Electoral Commission (EC) have stepped-up civic/voter education across the country using radio as the main medium for educating the public. There is low visibility of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working in the areas of election violence monitoring, and peace promotion activities.
    [Show full text]
  • L'élevage D'aulacodes Comme Moyen De Lutte Contre Le Braconnage Au
    MAEP Proceedings of the International Forum on Grasscutter Theme: Promoting Grasscutter as a business in West Africa La Promotion de L’aulacodiculture Comme Activite en Afrique de l’Ouest Institute of Local Government Studies Ghana 12th – 16th December 2005 Proceedings of the International Forum on Grasscutter Theme: Promoting Grasscutter as a Business in West Africa La Promotion de I’Aulacodiculture comme Activité Commerciale en Afrique de I’Ouest Venue: Institute of Local Government Studies, Accra, Ghana 12th 16th December, 2005 Editing Team: Theresa Antoh, Rita Weidinger, Joshua Ahiaba and Antonio Carrillo (GTZ), Amma Serwaa Sefa-Dedeh and Charles Nkrumah (Platinum Link), Atta K. Agyepong (Facilitator) Dr. Guy Mensah (INRAB), Lonneke Bakker (FAO) Published By: Animal Production Directorate Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ghana P. O. Box M. 37 Accra Ghana Sponsors: Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Ghana Ministere d’Agriculture, d’Elevage et de Ia Pêche (MAEP), Benin Animal Research Institute (ARI) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ghana HEIFER International, Ghana and Cameroon Grasscutter Farmers Associations from the Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions, Ghana German Development Cooperation (GTZ, KfW, DED) - Market Oriented Agriculture Programme (MOAP), Ghana and Programme de Conservation et de Gestion et des Ressources Naturelles (ProCGRN), Bénin Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Institute Nationale de (a Recherche Agricole du Bénin (INRAB) Wireweaving Industries Ltd., Ghana
    [Show full text]
  • Second CODEO Pre-Election Observation Report
    Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) CONTACT Secretariat: +233 (0) 244 350 266/ 0277 744 777 Email: [email protected]: Website: www.codeoghana.org SECOND PRE-ELECTION ENVIRONMENT OBSERVATION STATEMENT STATEMENT ON THE VOTER REGISTER Introduction The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) is pleased to release its second pre- election observation report, which captures key observations of the pre-election environment during the month of October 2020, ahead of the December 7, 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections of Ghana. The report is based on weekly reports filed by 65 Long-Term Observers (LTOs) deployed across 65 selected constituencies throughout the country. The observers have been monitoring the general electoral and political environment including the activities of key election stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission (EC), the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), political parties, the security agencies, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and religious and traditional leaders. Below are key findings from CODEO’s observation during the period. Summary of Findings: • Similar to CODEO’s observations in the month of September 2020, civic and voter education activities were generally low across the various constituencies. • There continues to be generally low visibility of election support activities by CSOs, particularly those aimed at peace promotion. • COVID-19 health and safety protocols were not adhered to during some political party activities. • The National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) remain the most visible political parties in the constituencies observed as far as political and campaign- related activities are concerned. Main Findings Preparatory Activities by the Electoral Commission Observer reports showed intensified preparatory activities by the EC towards the December 7, 2020 elections.
    [Show full text]
  • Ningo-Prampram Municipality
    NINGO-PRAMPRAM MUNICIPALITY Copyright © 2014 Ghana Statistical Service ii PREFACE AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT No meaningful developmental activity can be undertaken without taking into account the characteristics of the population for whom the activity is targeted. The size of the population and its spatial distribution, growth and change over time, in addition to its socio-economic characteristics are all important in development planning. A population census is the most important source of data on the size, composition, growth and distribution of a country’s population at the national and sub-national levels. Data from the 2010 Population and Housing Census (PHC) will serve as reference for equitable distribution of national resources and government services, including the allocation of government funds among various regions, districts and other sub-national populations to education, health and other social services. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) is delighted to provide data users, especially the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, with district-level analytical reports based on the 2010 PHC data to facilitate their planning and decision-making. The District Analytical Report for the Ningo-Prampram Municipality is one of the 216 district census reports aimed at making data available to planners and decision makers at the district level. In addition to presenting the district profile, the report discusses the social and economic dimensions of demographic variables and their implications for policy formulation, planning and interventions. The conclusions and recommendations drawn from the district report are expected to serve as a basis for improving the quality of life of Ghanaians through evidence-based decision-making, monitoring and evaluation of developmental goals and intervention programmes.
    [Show full text]
  • Election Security and Violence in Ghana: the Case of Ayawaso West Wougon and Talensi By-Elections
    Election Security and Violence in Ghana: The case of Ayawaso West Wougon and Talensi By-Elections Abstract Conducts of by-elections in recent times have been fraught with a lot of security challenges. This is as a result of the violence that characterized the conduct of by-elections recent times in Ghana. Violence during by-elections in Ghana plays a vital role in securing election victories for political parties. In all the by-elections characterized by violence in Ghana, they were won by parties that were accused of inciting the violence. The main tenets of election violence as identified by the paper include, actors, motives, timing, consequences, and patterns. The paper reveals that there is a correlation between violence during by-elections and victories of incumbent parties. This is because, in the two by-elections understudy, those accused of starting the violence and using national security operatives won the elections. The paper also found out that by-election violence impacts negatively on Ghana’s democratic maturity in several ways, such as; low voter turnout, weakening of democratic foundation and breeding an atmosphere of insecurity. Finally, the paper also revealed that political parties especially those in government resort to violence during by-elections in Ghana because they fear losing it will mean the government is underperforming as argued out by Feigert and Norris and also because they want to add to their tally in parliament. Keywords: Election security, election violence, by-elections, Ghana 1 Introduction Elections undisputedly have become the most significant and popular tool through which political office holders are selected across the globe.
    [Show full text]
  • Small and Medium Forest Enterprises in Ghana
    Small and Medium Forest Enterprises in Ghana Small and medium forest enterprises (SMFEs) serve as the main or additional source of income for more than three million Ghanaians and can be broadly categorised into wood forest products, non-wood forest products and forest services. Many of these SMFEs are informal, untaxed and largely invisible within state forest planning and management. Pressure on the forest resource within Ghana is growing, due to both domestic and international demand for forest products and services. The need to improve the sustainability and livelihood contribution of SMFEs has become a policy priority, both in the search for a legal timber export trade within the Voluntary Small and Medium Partnership Agreement (VPA) linked to the European Union Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (EU FLEGT) Action Plan, and in the quest to develop a national Forest Enterprises strategy for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD). This sourcebook aims to shed new light on the multiple SMFE sub-sectors that in Ghana operate within Ghana and the challenges they face. Chapter one presents some characteristics of SMFEs in Ghana. Chapter two presents information on what goes into establishing a small business and the obligations for small businesses and Ghana Government’s initiatives on small enterprises. Chapter three presents profiles of the key SMFE subsectors in Ghana including: akpeteshie (local gin), bamboo and rattan household goods, black pepper, bushmeat, chainsaw lumber, charcoal, chewsticks, cola, community-based ecotourism, essential oils, ginger, honey, medicinal products, mortar and pestles, mushrooms, shea butter, snails, tertiary wood processing and wood carving.
    [Show full text]