The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has released a statement on the close of polls in the December 7 General elections.

According the Election Observers, there has been reported cases of 235 of various incidents from all the 4,000 polling stations where it deployed its observers.

The alleged cased included intimidation, harrasment,violence of various kinds, unauthorized persons at polling stations, and malfunctioning of biometric devices and the disregard for COVID-19 safety protocols..

CODEO also reports that one of its observers stationed at the Open Space Cocoa Shed Polling Station in Kassem in the Asutifi South constituency in the Ahafo Region was arrested.

It further called on the Election Security Taskforce, particularly the Ahafo Regional Command to facilitate the speedy processing of the CODEO observer, so he can quickly be released to complete his observation assignment.

CODEO further goes ahead to list the various areas where  violence has been recorded across the constituencies they sent their observers.

At the Open Space Cocoa Shed Polling Station in Kassem in the Asutifi South Constituency in the Ahafo Region, unauthorized persons burnt the ballot papers just before counting began around 6:00 PM. The security agency was called in and they made some arrests. Unfortunately, the CODEO observer stationed at that polling station got arrested and is currently in Police custody at Goaso Police Command.

At Temp Booth Anomangye Pole Ase, Suame in the Ashanti Region , a reported brawl between a supporter of the incumbent MP and that of the independent candidate resulted in a fight, which disrupted the electoral process for some minutes. The issue was resolved by security reinforcement.

Steps to Christ Polling station, Awutu Senya East Constituency in the Central Region: Confirmed gun shots at polling station resulting in a journalist being injured.

In Just Love International School, Abankrom 1, in Obuasi West constituency, the NDC observers intimidated the Presiding Officer in the quest to interrogate why the polling officer made the party agents stand at a far distance.

Voters at Anglican Church, Ogome 1, at Yilo Krobo Constituency, L/A Primary School, Mamekrobo East 2 at Afram Plains South Constituency, Accra High Secondary School (Station A) at Klottey Korle Constituency, Almanara Primary School 1 at Damongo Constituency, and M/A Primary School Kpatinga at Nalerigu / Gambaga Constituency were not adhering to the social distancing protocols.

At Temporal Booth Yamfo 1, Tano North, at 11:47 AM the ballot issuer (who happens to be a lady) was caught hiding three stamped ballot papers. The voters present broke into the cordoned area the EC has created and beat her up. The ballot issuer was arrested alongside a voter who was harassing a soldier.

At Baaba Latif Polling station at new Zongo, Asawase Constituency in the Ashanti, a young man in possession of thumb-printed ballot papers was caught by the EC officials and handed over to the police.

At Orion Cinema, Klottey Korle Constituency in the Greater Accra Region, the EC officials caught a lady, with thumb printed ballot papers are hidden in her underwear and handed her over to the Police.

FULL RELEASE BELOW:

CODEO Mid-day Press Release on 2020 Elections_07dec_2020 FINAL-FINAL_without image (1)