Enhancing Citizen Participation In The Up-Coming Local Government Elections: Deepening Ghana’s Decentralization Process

Introduction
The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) releases its first pre-election environment observation report on the upcoming 2015 district assembly and unit committee elections. In October, CODEO deployed 86 long-term pre-election observers to 86 purposefully selected districts throughout the ten (10) regions of the country to observe and report on the general electoral environment and activities of stakeholders ahead of the elections. The report, which captures observations made in October and November, is based on bi-weekly reports filed by the Coalition's pre-election observers from all the 86 selected project districts (See Appendix A for the list of districts);

Summary of Finding:
• The EC has begun the recruitment process for various temporary positions for the upcoming elections

• The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has been sensitizing citizens on the local government elections; the NCCE has also been promoting the participation of women, Persons with Disabilities and the youth in politics, particularly towards the district assembly elections

• Aspiring candidates for election into the various district assemblies have started campaigning for votes even before they officially become candidates

• Very few activities by organized civil society/community-based organizations in support of the local government elections were recorded in the various districts

• Public apathy towards the local government elections is high

Main Findings
• The Electoral Commission (EC)'s preparations for the up-coming local government elections

CODEO observers reported that the EC has been undertaking some preparatory activities towards the district assembly elections. District offices of the Commission have put up advertisements to recruit staff to fill the various positions that will be required during the election period. In the Amansie West, Tain, and West Mamprusi districts for example, the EC's district offices put up calls for applications for various election-related positions.

• The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) promotes awareness on the impending elections as well as the participation of marginalized groups in the elections

CODEO observers in the various districts reported the NCCE is undertaking a range of public education activities aimed at sensitizing citizens on various issues such as the roles and responsibilities of district assemblies and citizens, and who qualifies to be elected to district assemblies, among others. The NCCE also undertook peace promotion activities ahead of the elections. Such activities by the NCCE as reported by the observers were widespread and were conducted in various districts throughout the country including Ga South, Ekumfi Central, Birim Central, Bolgatanga Municipal, Obuasi Municipal, Wa East, Ellembelle, and Kassena-Nankana West districts, among others.

The NCCE is also carrying out a series of activities aimed at promoting the participation of women, persons with disabilities and the youth in local governance and their election to the district assemblies. In various communities in districts such as Akatsi South, Adansi North, Nadowli-Kaleo, Bawku Municipal, Berekum and Dormaa, the NCCE has been using platforms such as community meetings/fora, radio programs, and street announcements to whip up community support for, and interest of such groups in participating in the elections.

• Aspiring candidates campaigns
CODEO observers reported that even though nominations for elections into the district assemblies are yet to open, some individuals who are interested in contesting the elections are actively campaigning to be elected to the district assemblies. Such activities were observed in electoral areas such as Oblogo/Tettegu in Ga South, Ahentia in Awutu Senya, Ampedwee in Asutifi, and Gausu in Obuasi Municipal. The aspiring candidates have been conducting such campaigns through house-to-house interactions, religious group meetings and the putting up of new posters.

• Civil society and the up-coming elections
CODEO observers also report that civil society organisations are lagging behind in promoting awareness about the upcoming local elections. However, one observer reported that the Northern Sector Action on Awareness Center (NORSAAC) is canvassing support for the election of groups like women in the up-coming elections in the Builsa North district. On its part, CODEO peer educators in the 86 selected districts have been educating women, youth and persons with disabilities on why it is important to get involved in local governance. The peer educators are whipping up the interest of such groups to contest in the local elections, and get elected to the district assemblies.

• Public apathy towards the elections
In their peer education activities on the elections, CODEO observers reported that members of the public expressed their lack of interest in the up-coming elections and pointed out they were either not aware of, or did not know much about the elections. Other members of the public also displayed limited knowledge on the concept of local governance and consequently the need for them to vote in the local government elections.

Commendations
CODEO commends:
• The NCCE for the efforts it is making to promote the inclusion and participation of groups such as women, persons with disabilities and the youth in local governance.

Recommendations
CODEO recommends that:
• The EC makes available to the general public relevant information pertaining to the conduct of the up-coming elections. In particular, the EC should make public the timelines towards the conduct of the district assemble elections;

• The EC should create sustained awareness about the elections to reduce public apathy towards the elections;

• The NCCE should intensify its public education on the elections. It should also sustain the awareness creation and promotion the participation of marginalized groups;

• Organized bodies should help whip up the interest of the general public in the elections;

• The Media should take advantage of the upcoming elections and use its platform to promote awareness about local governance and the need for citizens to get involved.

CODEO will continue to inform the general public through monthly press releases on activities and preparations of stakeholders towards the up-coming elections. CODEO's comprehensive observation of the upcoming local government elections has been made possible with the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Ghana.

Signed.

Mr. Albert Kofi Arhin
CODEO Coordinator

(For and on behalf of CODEO)

CODEO Secretariat