The European Union Election Observation Mission to Ghana, says the country’s general election was organized in an efficient and transparent manner and voters participated freely, but there were gaps, identifying the misuse of state resources as their main concern.
A preliminary report by the EU identified some of the gaps as the constantly increasing costs of and unlimited spending on running election campaigns saying this contributes to lack of transparency and accountability around political funding.
It said that the EC failed to ensure that political parties stayed compliant with the legal requirements on financial reporting. Such a move the EU indicated contributes to further limiting public scrutiny and transparency of political and campaign financing.
The report pointed to the absence of a legal framework regarding appointing the Electoral Commission Members, which would have hitherto helped to disabuse and increase trust in the EC.
The EC noted that the Collation process was less well organized and less transparent often due to a lack of detailed procedures, inadequate facilities and overcrowding which at times led to agents and observers not having a clear view of the procedures and the filling in of result forms.
It said Instances of unrest and tension were observed in Asawase, Sunyani West and Techiman South constituencies.
