The African Electoral Institute (AEI) says its monitoring of the special voting that took place on Monday, 2 December 2024, ahead of the general voting on Saturday, 7 December 2024, revealed several concerns that require attention.

The Institute noted in a statement that although the voting was generally peaceful, it observed that “contrary to Regulation 21(4) of C.I. 127, the majority of party agents were seated far from the Electoral Commission (EC) officials, potentially hindering their ability to effectively monitor and observe the electoral process.”

Additionally, it noted: “Independent presidential candidates and minor political parties lacked sufficient representation, with few or no agents present at voting centres.”

In contrast, the Institute said the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP), “had agents present at all voting centres.”

Coupled with that, AEI said its observers reported “instances of voters taking snapshots of their thumb-printed ballot papers, which is illegal and poses a significant threat to the secrecy of the ballot and the integrity of the electoral process.”

The group also highlighted “alleged bribery” and the “open” treatment of voters to “food and drinks” during the voting.

“This is a serious offence that undermines the integrity of elections, according to the Representation of the People's Law, 1992, PNDCL 284, Sections 33 and 34 explicitly prohibit such practices,” the Institute noted.

It noted: “This observation is particularly concerning, as vote-buying can have far-reaching consequences for the democratic process. It can lead to the manipulation of election results, undermine the legitimacy of elected officials, and erode public trust in the electoral system.”

AEI said it was “essential to address this issue promptly and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” and called on the Electoral Commission and relevant authorities to “take immediate action to investigate these allegations and prevent further occurrences of vote-buying during the main elections on December 7, 2024.”

It said, “These observations underscore the need for increased vigilance and adherence to electoral regulations to ensure a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.”