#Election2024: CODEO confirms validity of 2024 presidential election results in Ghana

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has announced that the results released by the Electoral Commission (EC) for the December 7, 2024, presidential elections accurately reflect the will of the Ghanaian voters.

This confirmation was made public during a press conference last night by Rev. Fred Deegbe, Co-Chair of CODEO. Utilizing its Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology, CODEO has reinforced confidence in the integrity of the electoral process nationwide.

On December 6, CODEO publicly committed to using the PVT, a scientific method employed since 2008 to validate election outcomes. By midnight on December 7, CODEO had gathered and analyzed vote count data from 1,500 trained observers situated at polling stations across the country.

Key Findings

According to 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 figures align closely with the official results released by the EC for 267 constituencies, with a margin of error of ±1.2%, providing reassurance about the accuracy of the electoral process.

The estimated voter turnout was noted at 63.9%, exceeding the EC's official turnout rate of 60.9% for the same constituencies. Additionally, CODEO reported that its estimate of rejected ballots at 2.1% closely matched the EC’s figure of 2.09%, further validating the overall results.

Observations and Challenges

CODEO observed that agents from both the NDC and NPP were present at 99% of polling stations, and that voting procedures were generally in line with Ghana's electoral laws. However, after the polls closed, CODEO reported several troubling incidents of violence and intimidation, including the destruction of an EC collation center in Damongo, which hindered the results collation process.

In response to these incidents, CODEO condemned all acts of violence and urged political leaders to encourage peaceful discourse among their supporters, emphasizing the need for adherence to democratic principles. The organization called on law enforcement agencies to maintain order and ensure legal compliance following the election.

Recommendations for Future Elections

As Ghana reflects on the recently concluded elections, CODEO urged the EC and all stakeholders to identify lessons learned in order to enhance future electoral processes. Recommendations include improving voter education, refining election administration logistics, and implementing proactive measures to curb election-related violence.

CODEO also expressed gratitude to the thousands of citizens who served as election observers and commended the security agencies for their professionalism during the electoral proceedings.

In closing, CODEO reaffirms its commitment to fostering a robust democratic process in Ghana, ensuring that every citizen’s voice is valued and respected in the electoral journey.