Rev. Fred Deegbe, Co-Chair of CODEO
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has officially confirmed that the results released by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the presidential elections held on December 7, 2024, faithfully reflect the votes cast by Ghanaians.
This confirmation was disclosed during a press conference last night by Rev. Fred Deegbe, Co-Chair of CODEO, on behalf of the organization. Utilizing its Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology, CODEO’s observations bolster confidence in the integrity of the electoral process throughout the nation.
On December 6, CODEO reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the PVT, a rigorous and scientific approach that has been in use since 2008 to assure the credibility of election results. By the midnight following the election, CODEO had collected and analysed vote count data from 1,500 trained observers stationed at polling locations across the country.
Key Findings
Based on the PVT estimates, former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) received 56.9% of the votes, while Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) secured 41.3%. These results fall within a margin of error of ±1.2%, closely aligning with the official results provided by the EC for 267 constituencies, thus affirming the reliability of the electoral outcomes.
Additionally, CODEO recorded an estimated voter turnout of 63.9%, which exceeds the EC’s reported turnout rate of 60.9% for the same constituencies. CODEO also noted that its estimate of rejected ballots at 2.1% is consistent with the EC’s figure of 2.09%, further substantiating the election results.
Observations and Challenges
CODEO reported that representatives from both the NDC and NPP were present at 99% of polling stations, and that voting procedures were generally conducted in accordance with Ghana’s electoral laws. However, after polling closed, CODEO observed numerous incidents of violence and intimidation, including the burning of an EC collation center in Damongo and other disruptions that affected the collation of election results.
In response, CODEO condemned all forms of violence and called on political leaders to advocate for peaceful engagement, stressing the responsibility of political parties and their supporters to uphold democratic values. The organization urged law enforcement to maintain order and ensure the enforcement of the law in the wake of the elections.
Recommendations Moving Forward
Looking ahead, CODEO called on the EC and all relevant stakeholders to reflect on the lessons learned from the 2024 elections in order to enhance future electoral processes. Recommendations included improving voter education, streamlining election administration logistics, and implementing proactive measures to prevent violence during elections
As Ghana works to fortify its democratic principles, CODEO expressed gratitude to the thousands of citizens who volunteered as observers and commended security forces for their professionalism during the electoral process.
In summary, CODEO remains dedicated to promoting the democratic process in Ghana, ensuring that the voices of all citizens are heard and respected throughout the electoral journey.
About CODEO
Established in 2000 under the auspices of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), CODEO is a non-partisan network of 42 organizations committed to ensuring transparent, free, fair, and peaceful elections in Ghana. The coalition works to mobilize citizens in actively participating in the electoral process, thereby enhancing the integrity of Ghana’s democracy.
