ECOWAS Poll Observers in Ghana to Strengthen Democratic Governance

5 December 2012
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Economic Community of West African States (Abuja)
press release

Accra - Ghana — The 250-member ECOWAS Election Observation Mission for Ghana's 7th December 2012 general elections is in the country to lend support and strengthen democratic governance in the region, the ECOWAAS Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Mrs. Salamatu Hussaini Suleiman said in Accra on Tuesday 4th December 2012.

Speaking to journalists after accompanying the Head of Mission, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on a visit to some Ghanaian stakeholders, the Commissioner said the Region and the world looked forward to peaceful, free, fair, and transparent elections in Ghana. She said the ECOWAS mission was reassured following the stakeholder visits, which are expected to continue and lead up to balloting on Friday.

In addition, the Commissioner noted that the observers would be the eye and ear of the Commission and the region, to ensure that the electoral processes were successful and that all the actors played by the rule.

The ECOWAS Observation team, led by Chief Obasanjo comprises representatives of various segments of the West African is in Ghana within the context of the region's instrument for provision of support to Member States holding elections.

The President of the ECOWAS Commission, His Excellency Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, is also expected in the country to provide additional support to the Mission and to express ECOWAS' solidarity with the Government and people of Ghana during the elections.

An ECOWAS assessment mission was in Ghana last October to review preparations for the elections during which the mission interacted with various stakeholders, including representatives of political parties, security agencies, civil society organizations, the national electoral commission, and other stakeholders to discuss their perspectives on the preparations for the elections.

More than 13 million Ghanaian biometric registered voters will cast their ballots on Friday to elect a president from among eight presidential candidates and hundreds of contenders for the 275-seat Parliament. ECOWAS seeks through the Election Observation Missions to promote a culture of transparent and credible elections and enhance good governance, regional peace and stability.

Read the original article on Ecowas.

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