Electoral Commission Gets High Marks

The body that organized Ghana's presidential election worked in a competent and transparent manner, the European Union observer mission said Monday.

"The Electoral Commission of Ghana has done a good job in organizing these elections and it has worked competently and transparently and its role should be acknowledged,' the EU observers said in a statement.

The team also highlighted the role of Ghana"s civil society and faith-based organizations who "have remained engaged in the process throughout.'

Ghana's presidential election, which wrapped up Friday with a final vote in a remote rural constituency, marks the second time an elected leader is handing over power to a successor from the opposition.

'Ghana now needs to ensure the incoming parliament and president-elect work in the interests of the people of Ghana to consolidate the achievements of the outgoing administration,' chief EU observer Nickolay Mladenov said in a statement.

'It has also set benchmarks in the quality of governance and the protection of civil and political rights that will need to be maintained so that Ghana can continue to protect its democratic credentials,' he added.