1.0 Introduction
On Friday, July 17, 2020, ABANTU for Development with support from STAR-Ghana launched a project titled “Strengthening Women’s Capacities for Effective Participation in Elections 2020”. The projectisintended to increase the effectiveness of citizens’ actions for an inclusive, credible and a peaceful General Elections 2020. It focuses on empowering marginalised groups, specifically women and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) to effectively participate, campaign, vote and help secure wins for those women contesting in the 2020 Elections. Historically women have contributed immensely towards Ghana’s political and economic life, however, women’s presence in Ghana’s decision making level is woefully inadequate. With a 275-member Parliament, women account for only 38, this is less than 14 per cent and far below the UN recommended threshold of 30 per cent. Thus the project seeks to ensure that a higher level of national attention is directed towards addressing the perennial low representation of marginalised groups in policy-making spaces in this year’s elections and beyond.
To this end, ABANTU implemented the project in five (5) selected districts in three (3) regions of the country to promote inclusion of women in the 2020 Presidential and Parliamentary elections and to increase women’s participation in decision-making processes. The project was also aimed at building capacities of young women to serve as election observers. Forty (40) young women were trained in the five (5) districts to observe the election. Each observer was given an Election Observation Accreditation from the Electoral Commission and a checklist and assigned to three polling stations each to observe the election on Monday, December 7, 2020. To reduce the spread of corona virus and to protect the young women, each of the election observers were provided with hygiene kits which included nose masks, hand sanitizers, tissue and anti-bacterial liquid soap.
2.0 Election Observation in the West Akim District
Young women in the West Akim District were trained on effective election observation for the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections in the Lower West Akim Constituency- (Asamankese), to whip up their interest in the political process in the country. This was to enable the young women understand how elections in the country was organized in a free, fair, transparent, peaceful and gender responsive manner. Also ABANTU aimed at strengthening the capacities of young women in the district to engage in the electoral processes. Each of the young women observed the elections in three polling stations. Observer 1 was in charge of Community Centre (Back) polling station, Asamankese Community Centre (Front) polling station and Asamankese Arabic Day 1 polling station. Observer 2 was in charge of Asamankese ECG polling station, Asamankese Post Office polling station and Asamankese Anglican JHS polling station. Observer 3 was in charge of Freman Methodist primary B&D School, Asamankese R/C KG Block, End Time Missions. Observer 4 was placed at Asamankese Wesley Primary, Freman JHS and Freman A and C. Observer 5 was placed at Millennium City polling station, R/C Primary school polling station, Asamankese Catholic Block polling station, all in the Lower West Akim Constituency. The young women were guided by a check list prepared by ABANTU to aid them in giving a detailed account of how the election processes unfolded in their respective polling stations.
Before elections commenced in all the fifteen polling stations that was observed in the district, the election officials, the polling agents and the security officials were all at post and ready to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. Voters started coming to the polling station long before the official time for the beginning of the exercise. Monday being a market day in Asamankese, the women got to the polling stations very early to cast their votes in order to leave early to the market. Most of the polling stations were opened to the electorates for voting at 7:00am. Although there were a few delays in some of the polling stations but by 7:30am all the polling stations that were observed were opened for voters to cast their vote.
Casting of votes came to an end at 5:00pm at all the polling stations that were observed. During the counting, to ensure transparency, all the representatives of the candidates contesting in elections (polling agents) were present. Some of the electorates were also at the polling stations to witness the process.
The polling station results started coming in from 6:45pm – 7:45pm. There was a heavy rain in the constituency at exactly 5:30pm. This delayed the counting process in some areas where the voting was conducted in an opened space.
The voter turn-out for all the polling stations that were observed were considered high. There was an average of 75.8% turn out in the polling stations observed.
Although there wasn’t any female candidate contesting at the constituency, the turnout of women and young women was very encouraging. The voter turn-out of women and young women was very encouraging because 55.9% of the voters who voted were women. Also the principle of universal adult suffrage which promotes free and fair elections was adhered to by the electoral officers as the women were not in any way discriminated against during the process of election.
Because both males and females had high interest in exercising their franchise in the 2020 general election, they were both present in their numbers at the polling stations before election commenced. Women are usually found in the markets to engage in buying and selling. Market days are very important days for all especially women, since it is the day that they get more people to buy their products for them and for those who come to buy, it is the day that they get access to different kinds of products and foodstuffs usually at an affordable price to buy. But that notwithstanding, these market women and other women tried to come to the polling stations early to exercise their franchise and leave to the market or closed early in order to find time and vote. This shows how interested the women were in the 2020 general elections.
The men also showed how interested they were in the election by also coming to the polls to exercise their franchise. Most of the electorates who hanged around after the election to observe what was happening at the polling stations were men. This also showed the level of interest the men had in the 2020 general elections. The electorates (both men and women) were at the polling stations in their numbers to witness the counting of the votes. This showed their interest in ensuring transparent, free and fair election.
Also, there were no allegations of electoral malpractices in any of polling stations that were observed by the young women before, during and after elections. This was mainly because of transparent and fair way the Electoral officers at the polling stations conducted the elections. The polling agents were satisfied with the election process. There was a peaceful atmosphere during the counting of ballot papers and declaration of the results at the station by the Presiding officers of the polling stations. The Security officials did an excellent job of protecting the votes of the electorates from been snatched from the stations. They also prevented anything that could result in violations, irregularities and unusual occurrences at the various centres.
Generally, voters, political parties, electoral officers and other officials such as the security personnel did not engage in any form of electoral malpractices which could have affected the credibility of the elections at the polling stations in the district.
Electorates in this year’s election spent less time at the polling centres since many polling centres were created as a means of controlling the spread of the COVID-19. This made it possible for most voters to exercise their franchise long before elections came to an end at the various polling stations.
Observers in Lower West Akim Constituency suggested that to promote high voter turnout in future elections, the Electoral Commission should maintain the extra polling stations it created for this year’s elections to control the spread of COVID-19. This is because the electorates are likely to go to the polling centres and vote when they know they will spend less time at the polling centres due to the small size of voters at each polling station.
It was also recommended that women should be educated more on the importance of their involvement in elections as well as be supported financially so they can at least contest for parliamentary seats in their various consistencies. Women participation in decision making is very important and they must therefore be supported.
It was observed that at some polling stations, the electoral officers were neither wearing identification cards nor the EC’s jacket provided for the electoral officers. This made identifying an official a little difficult since they did not have anything identifying them as officials. There was a total cooperation between party agents, the officials and the electorates.
3.0 Election Observation in Tema West District
Young women in Tema West were selected for observing the 2020 presidential and parliamentary election in the Tema West district. Each young woman was assigned three (3) polling stations. As compared with the District Assembly elections, the voter turnout was high. The Presiding Officers were unable to determine the number of males and females registered in the voters register. However, they were able to give the figures of males and females who turned up to vote. The participation of women in the election process in terms of; Female Aspirants, Female Election Officers and Female Voters, varied between the Polling Stations. There were other observers in some polling stations whereas some did not have any present.
Some Media Personnel were sighted in some polling stations whereas some did not have any at all. The situation was however different at the collation center; a lot of media houses were there to cover the collation process and declaration of results.
There were also several Police Officers and Military Officers sighted as well as periodic visits from joint patrol teams comprising of all the security services in Ghana. However, one Police Officer was assigned to each Polling Station. Each Polling Station had six (6) Election Officers including the Presiding Officers, Polling Agents and a COVID 19 Ambassador who was to ensure social distancing in the queues, direct hand washing and sanitizing and enforce the wearing of nose masks.
Women and men with disabilities, senior citizens, pregnant women and those with children were allowed to vote without joining the queue and those who required assistance were aided by the presiding officer.
Some Polling stations had all their election materials at the Polling Stations before voting began at 7:00am. The starting time was delayed in other polling stations because some of the election materials were not available. Voting however ended at exactly 5:00pm because there was no queue.
The Police on duty demarcated the counting area with an Electoral Commission red, white and black branded tape, which only had Election Officers, candidate’s agents and observers within. The counting of votes was very slow but accurate. The Presiding Officer announced the results obtained at the Polling stations and moved to the Constituency Collation Center for the collation.
The Tema West Collation Center was Tema Senior High School (TEMASCO). Aside the time voting began there were no incidences recorded that would have affected the electoral process or render the results invalid at the polling stations. However at the collation center, Presiding Officers had a hard time entering the hall and submitting their results thus the military and police present had to enforce discipline and bring them to order.
After collation Dr Rafael Tufour of the NDC raised some concerns about irregularities and requested for a recount which was granted to him. Hon. Carlos Ahenkorah of the NPP was subsequently adjudged the winner of the polls for Tema West Constituency. The entire process was peaceful and the results were accepted in good faith.
4.0 Election Observation in Ga West
Selected young women in the district were given all the needed resources to observe elections in the district. Most of the centres were opened to the voters at exactly 7am and closed at 5:00pm As compared with the District Assembly elections, the voter turnout was high. Most of the women came to vote in the morning while in some centres, they came from the afternoon till polls were closed while the men were as usual coming to vote throughout the day.
The Presiding Officers were unable to determine the number of males and females registered in the voters register. However, they were able to give the figures of males and females who turned up to vote. The participation of women in the election process in terms of; Female Aspirants, Female Election Officers and Female Voters, varied between the Polling Stations. There were three (3) observers sighted at the Electoral Area from ABANTU for Development, WANEP, and CODEO. Also, Five (4) Media Personnel were sighted from, UTv, Happy Fm, Gh One Tv, and Hot Fm. There were several Police Officers and Military Officers sighted as well as periodic visits from joint patrol teams comprising of all the security services in Ghana. However, one Police Officer was assigned to each Polling Station.
Furthermore, Provision were made available in some centres for people with disabilities/pregnant women, senior citizens and women with small children were not mandated to join the queue and those who required assistance were aided by the presiding officer. Interestingly at most centres, most of women came back to the polling centres to observe the counting process. While some women showed interest in this year’s elections, it was also observed that the traditional behaviours where most women will just vote and show less concern about how or who wins and the counting process had changed.
The Police on duty demarcated the counting area with EC red, white and black tape, which only the Election Officers, Candidate Agents and observers were made to stay within. The counting of votes was very slow but accurate. The Presiding Officer announced the results obtained at the Polling stations and moved to the Constituency Collation Centre. Declaration of the results was done between 6:30pm to 8:00pm. All polling agents were satisfied with the process, this is because the voting and counting process was transparent. However at the collation centre, Presiding Officers had a hard time entering the hall and submitting their results thus the military present had to enforce discipline and bring them to order. Few incidents and irregularities were observed in some centres but it did not have any effect on the entire process.
5.0 Election Observation in Tema Central
The young women assigned to Tema central observed the Uhuru electoral area and Tema Community 11. At 7:00am to 7:16am, all the polling centres in the Tema central district had been open voters. It was observed that some of the officials were finding it difficult in the positioning of the screen and the ballot boxes. Some officials too were confused as to which stamp to use for voting and stamping of the ballot, so calls had to be made before they got it right and this delayed the election process. Some polling centres had no media person while others had media persons passing by to ask few questions and report to their media houses. Other observers were also present at the polling centres. Most polling centres were having 2, 3 or 4 polling station at their centres. Turnout of voters in the morning was slow at some of the centres whiles the other polling centres had massive crowd coming out to vote from morning till evening for their presidential and parliamentary candidates. There were more women queued at the polling centres in the morning before the voting started, most of them wanted to cast their votes early in other to go to the markets and work places. As at 2:00pm most of the voters had finished casting their votes and the polling station had become empty.
Party candidates had their party agents representing then at all polling centres, especially NDC and NPP but they were not in any political party paraphernalia. Also voters who came around to cast their votes did not have any political colours on. They adhered to all rules and regulations, maintained social distancing and were in their nose mask. They left immediately after voting to their various homes.
Security officials were seen all over the centres to maintain peace at the ongoing election and each polling centres had 2, 3 or 4 security officials around. All polling stations also had six (6) election officers and four (4) polling agent. Also, Presiding Officers were seen adhering to the rules and regulations of the voting process, from start to end of voting, for example showing of ballot box before sealing for voting to commence, educating voters on the process and making sure all covid-19 protocol were adhered to by the voters. Some polling centres placed few chairs around for the aged, few individuals also came around without their voter’s ID card but went through the right procedures to vote. Some went through facial verification as well to cast their vote and it went smoothly without any difficulties.
At 5:00pm to 5:30pm, all polling stations had closed and collating their materials for counting to begin. Election officers, polling agent, observers and security officials gathered around for counting to begin. At 6:20pm in some polling centres, counting had already started while others started at 6:30pm. About 20% of polling stations in Tema Central were not having light and had to use their phone or chargeable lamps for counting. Despite the challenges with the light, counting went on smoothly with the voters counting it themselves as the presiding officer raised each casted ballot paper high. The official vote counts at the observed polling stations were done peacefully and the number of votes gotten by each candidate was made known to everyone. By 7:30pm to 8:00pm, some presiding officers had started sending their ballot boxes to the collation center at Chemu senior high school in community 4.
There were a few challenges at the polling stations observed in the district. There were no shades and chairs for security officials, observers and some polling agent to sit for a successful work. Again, some presiding officials and election officers were having little challenges with their final work after voting and counting was done. Some polling centres also had very smaller spaces and were having more than two polling stations. This caused a little problem with how to position their tables and chairs to have enough space for voting.
6.0 Election Observation in Ho Municipality
Young women in the Volta region were assigned to observe the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections at twenty – one polling stations.
Generally, all polling stations that were observed during the 2020 general election in the Ho central disrict were opened at 7:00am. All the observers were present before 7:00 am to observe the arrangements. Political Party Agents were also present whiles other observers from different Organizations like CHRAJ, IDEG CODEO etc. also participated in the election.
Strict Covid -19 protocols were observed at all the polling stations. Every voter was mandated to wash and sanitize their hands before proceeding to the electoral officials. Thermometer guns were also available to check temperature of voters to ensure safety at the polling stations. All voters wore their nose masks before allowed to take part in the voting process.
As per the reports received from the various observers, it is evident that all the polling stations were accessible and comfortable for all voters including women and persons with disabilities. The needed supports were provided with voters depending on their individual needs. All the polling Officials at the polling stations comprised of females which made the entire process gender balanced. The aged pregnant women, nursing mothers and persons with disabilities were also given priority during the voting.
The voting process was flexible, enabling all voters to go through successfully. After voters had gone through the Covid-19 protocols, their names were checked on the voters ID cards against the name reference list. The voter was then verified either by the biometric verification device or manually and was allowed to vote. There were no incidents as the electoral officials were dutiful. The splitting of the polling centres made it difficult for eligible voters to identify their respective polling stations. The Electoral Commission made the election process more inclusive as compared to the previous elections
General Assessment in Ho Municipality
- The election was free and fair.
- The polling officials were very friendly to assist the aged to cast their votes.
- Tactile jacket was provided to enable people with visually impairment have independent voting
- Election materials and the arrangement of the polling stations are disability friendly
- The level of voters interest was very high in this year’s election as compared to 2019 District Assembly Election
- The presiding officers are very friendly to assist observers to get the necessary information
- The polling agents and the electorates comport themselves
- The participation of women was very high
- The aged, People with disabilities, nursing mothers and pregnant women were given preferential treatment as they were not made to join the queue.
- Everything was in order
7.0 Challenges Observed During the Elections
- A lot of polling stations had some difficulties verifying some people with the biometric device provided by the EC.
- As observers were mandated to observe the 3 centres, it was difficult to get accurate information at some of the polling stations because they had to move to different centres while the election process was still ongoing
- Most names were not found in the voters register.
- Some people had their details on the biometric device or scanner, but verification failed due to unrecognized finger prints and face scanning.
- Some polling stations had no electricity, thereby making counting of ballot papers difficult after the voting had ended.
- Recommendations
- The Electoral Commission should clearly state the total number of males and females registered in the voters register because it was difficult to count the number of females and males since they were not stated in the 2020 voters register.
- All electoral officers should be mandated to wear their identification cards or the EC’s jacket provided for them to make identification easier.
- Each observer should be assigned to only one polling station so that she can observe from the start to end of voting at a polling station.
- More polling stations were created in the 2020 election, this reduced the long queue that usually comes with general elections, however some electorates had a hard time locating their polling stations, thus they were jumping from one queue to another lamenting, and hence voters must be told if they will be voting at polling center A or B during registrations.
- Aside election materials, the Electoral Commission should ensure that there are tables and chairs are provided for the Election Officers.
- To reduce chaos during collation, the Electoral Commission should revert to the electoral area collation before the constituency collation.
- The media should be circumspect and accurate in their reportage so as not to create chaos.
- Civil Society Organizations should continue their good work as neutral and independent bodies, and desist from aligning themselves with political parties
- Most of election officers were males. More women should be encouraged to stand for elections and work hard to achieve the desired results.
- The EC must adopt a robust mechanism to recruit competent and non-partisan officials for election activities. In addition, the EC must ensure that temporary field officials recruited for election related duties are properly trained to effectively undertake assigned duties.
- The EC must explore and adopt an innovative mode of transmitting election results from polling stations to collation centres and from the collation centres to the EC headquarters in order to boost confidence in the collation process, and avoid unnecessary rumors that could trigger violence.
- The media should be more responsible and objective in its reportage on elections and election-related issues
- There is the need for speedy promulgation of the national broadcasting law to ensure that media houses that may have partisan affiliations do not use their platforms to incite supporters to unlawful and provocative behavior during elections.
- The media should collaborate with the EC, the NCCE and CSOs to make civic and voter education a critical component of all election activities in order to promote free and fair, peaceful, and credible elections at all times.
- Civil society groups should intensify and deepen their election support activities; in particular, civil society actors should collaborate with state institutions like the NCCE to conduct and expand civic or voter education.
- All security personnel of polling officials deployed to any polling station for electoral exercises must be adequately briefed about their specific roles at polling stations.
- The EC must do something about the collation centres used for the 2020 election because, most of the presiding officers brought their ballot box from far places and with that, anything could have happened on their way to the coalition centres. Also presiding officers were in a rush in putting necessary things together, which caused some to forget what to put in the ballot box and sealed it before getting to the collation center. Others presiding officers had to open the ballot box at the collation center to put in documents they had forgotten earlier. This may have led to chaos.
- The EC should make adequate provision for persons with disabilities (PWDs) at all times, especially those with hearing and visual impairments.
- The EC to intensify the training and understanding of all EC officials especially the presiding officers regarding the filling of the pink sheet and any other forms so as to avoid mistakes and cancellation which usually leads to misunderstanding
- It was also recommended that the EC should take a critical look the collation center. Since the way and manner elections materials are handled over there is very alarming. If possible a mini collation center should be created at all polling stations so that all polling stations over there can collate over there before setting off to the constituency collation office. So as to avoid overcrowding and force opening of ballot boxes in the absence of voters and Party Agents.
- EC should make proper arrangement for conveying electoral materials to the various polling stations on time. Due to the delay of materials, most of the voters were angry and it resulted in quarrelling.
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