Abuse of incumbency threatens credibility of December 7 elections – CODEO warns

Faridatu Seidu — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 14:53:11 +0000

The Coalition of Democratic Election Observers (CODEO) has flagged the abuse of incumbency as a key issue threatening the credibility of the December 7 presidential and parliamentary elections.

This concern was highlighted in CODEO’s second pre-election environment report, released on November 18.

The report is based on observations from field monitors across the country, who have been tracking campaign activities and electoral processes.

“Observers documented cases of potential abuse of incumbency involving government appointees or candidates,” the report stated.

Approximately 11% of observer reports highlighted instances where public resources, including vehicles, were used for campaign purposes by incumbent candidates.

A notable example occurred in the Tatale-Sanguli constituency in the Northern Region. The report revealed that campaign flyers for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate were used to brand machinery under the government’s District Road Improvement Program (DRIP).

According to the report, “Campaign flyers for the Tatale-Sanguli Member of Parliament and parliamentary candidate were displayed on DRIP equipment, including a bulldozer, which was being used for road maintenance and expansion in the Sagban community.”

CODEO expressed concern over the potential impact of such actions on the fairness of the electoral process.

The findings are based on weekly reports submitted by 97 Long-Term Observers (LTOs) deployed across 97 constituencies nationwide. A total of 193 weekly observation reports were analyzed to compile the insights presented.

READ ALSO:

Incumbency shouldn’t be an advantage in any democratic country – Akufo-Addo

Dennis Adu — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 14:13:20 +0000

The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says he does not see incumbency as working to the advantage to any government.
According to him, the only advantage that could be in store for an officeholder is “the quality of their performance”.
During his encounter with the media at the flagstaff house on Wednesday, President Nana Addo said incumbency shouldn’t be an advantage in any democratic country.
See also: HOT VIDEO: I never said I will pay GH₵ 5,000 each to highlife musicians – Kennedy Agyapong
He said: “The only advantage is the quality of your performance. That is what you should be measured by…”
The President said the first man of a country can only be given a second term if he paid heed to the needs and wants of his people.
Read this: Zongo Dev’t Ministry to build multipurpose sports facilities in Zongos
“It means if it happens and they think it’s good so you need another round, they would keep [Vote] you. Otherwise, they would destool you…” Nana Addo maintained.
He rubbished all claims that incumbency works to a governing party’s advantage, saying, “…you are a government and that should never be the case. I have never used it to my advantage…”.
Source: Ghana/Adomonline.com/ Dennis Kofi Adu

incumbency – Adomonline.com

Abuse of incumbency threatens credibility of December 7 elections – CODEO warns

Incumbency shouldn’t be an advantage in any democratic country – Akufo-Addo