In a bid to boost transparency and credibility in the upcoming December 7 elections, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has introduced an advanced vote monitoring system known as the Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT).
This system will enable observers across the country to track vote counts in real-time from polling stations, ensuring that election results are closely monitored and providing an independent check on the official figures from the Electoral Commission (EC).
The PVT will allow CODEO observers to send voting data via SMS directly to a central database, enhancing both the speed and accuracy of reporting.
According to CODEO, this initiative aims to build public trust in the electoral process by providing transparency in the vote counting and result announcement stages.
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Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, a well-known diplomat, launched the PVT system, urging all stakeholders, especially security agencies, to prioritize maintaining peace throughout the electoral process.
He highlighted the need for collaboration between state institutions and civil society to safeguard the country’s reputation for peaceful and credible elections.
In preparation for election day, CODEO has already deployed 100 long-term observers to monitor pre-election activities at the constituency level.
These observers are tracking key stakeholders such as the EC, the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), and the National Peace Council (NPC) to ensure that election protocols are being followed. On election day, the coalition plans to station 4,000 trained observers at selected polling stations to oversee voting, counting, and the declaration of results.
Elizabeth Joyce Villars, Co-Chair of CODEO, emphasized that the coalition’s comprehensive plan includes post-election monitoring, with 20 additional observers set to track post-election developments and collaborate with security agencies to maintain peace where necessary.
The Electoral Commission, represented by Deputy Chairman Dr. Eric Bossman Asare, reaffirmed its commitment to conducting peaceful and transparent elections, announcing that results for the presidential race would be declared on a regional basis and that security at collation centers would be tightened to prevent unauthorized access.
