The National Democratic Institute (NDI) has described as peaceful, Ghana’s 2016 elections in its preliminary election observation report.
The Institute, in the preliminary statement of findings and recommendations said that manner of conduct of the elections proves Ghana as a laudable example for democracy in Africa.
“The NDI delegation applauds the people of Ghana for the largely peaceful conduct of these elections, despite earlier apprehensions of political tensions and violence… Ghana has underscored its status as a beacon for democracy in the region and, though not without challenges, remains a laudable example for the entire continent,” said Ambassador Johnnie Carson, co-leader of NDI’s observation mission said.
At a press conference earlier in Accra on Friday, December 9, the observer delegation called on Ghanaians to cooperate in good faith with the Electoral Commission (EC) and exercise restrain as the Commission prepares to declare official results of the polls.
“Ultimately it is the people of Ghana who will determine the credibility of the elections, and political leaders should respect the people’s will expressed in the December 7 polls,” the Institute in a statement said.
“The preliminary statement commends the Electoral Commission for its notable improvements since the 2012 polls, and it expresses appreciation for the efforts of other election stakeholders, exemplified by the Accra Declaration for peaceful polls, signed on December 1 by all presidential candidates.”
The statement said it observed large numbers in voter-turnout across the country.
It said the assessment was based on carried by 30 political and civic leaders, elections experts, and regional specialists from 14 countries.
The Delegation leadership was led by Ambassador Johnnie Carson, former assistant secretary for African Affairs, U. S. State Department.
NDI’s international election observation mission in Ghana is funded by a grant from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor of the U. S. Department of State. The Institute’s pre-election missions were funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
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(Via: CitiFM Online Ghana)