The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has verified the results of Ghana’s 2024 presidential election, affirming that the figures declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) accurately reflect the will of the people.

At a press briefing in Accra, Rev. Dr. Fred Deegbe, Co-Chair of CODEO, announced the successful use of the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) methodology, a system that provides independent verification of election results.

CODEO deployed 1,500 trained observers across a representative sample of polling stations in all 16 regions of Ghana.

These observers monitored the voting, counting, and collation processes, sending real-time updates via text messages to ensure transparency.

By midnight on December 7, CODEO had collected and analyzed vote count data, enabling the organization to confirm the accuracy of the EC’s official results.

Key Findings CODEO’s PVT estimates for each candidate matched the EC’s declared results. Voter turnout was estimated at 63.9% across 276 constituencies, slightly above the EC’s reported figure of 60.9% for 267 constituencies. Rejected ballots, calculated at 2.1% by CODEO, closely aligned with the EC’s reported 2.09%. Voting and counting were generally peaceful, with no major violations of electoral laws.  Observers reported that agents from both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and New Patriotic Party (NPP) were present at 99% of polling stations and signed the official results.

Despite the overall credibility of the process, CODEO expressed concerns about isolated incidents of violence and disruptions.

Notably, the burning of the Electoral Commission’s collation centre in Damongo and the destruction of election materials were condemned.

Recommendations

To enhance future elections, CODEO proposed the following:

Voter Education: Strengthen civic awareness campaigns to minimize errors that lead to rejected ballots. Logistical Improvements: Address challenges in election material distribution and management. Violence Prevention: Implement stricter security measures and hold perpetrators of election-related violence accountable. Political Accountability: Encourage parties to commit to peaceful and democratic practices. Law Enforcement: Urge police to act decisively against those who disrupt the electoral process.

Rev. Dr. Deegbe emphasized the need for all stakeholders to uphold Ghana’s democratic values.

“Elections are a cornerstone of democracy, and the peaceful conduct of this election is a testament to the resilience of the Ghanaian people,” he stated.