The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has called for more education for stakeholders to proactively facilitate the fulfilment of the right to vote for vulnerable persons in the future.
The Commission, in a press statement issued and signed by the Commissioner, Dr Joseph Whittal, and copied The Ghanaian Times on Tuesday , said the call was based on observations made by the 300 observers deployed by CHRAJ to monitor the just ended presidential and parliamentary elections.
According to CHRAJ, although infractions on citizens’ rights to vote, especially vulnerable persons, were largely minimal during the elections, such cases were recorded at some polling stations.
The statement indicated that while polling stations were largely made accessible to people in vulnerable situations, certain locations faced challenges due to the terrain and limited space, to facilitate special arrangements, particularly for persons with disabilities, the elderly and pregnant women.
The Commission also bemoaned the deaths that occurred in Nyankpala in the Tolon Constituency of the Northern Region, the Damongo Collation Centre in the Gonja Municipality, and Kasoa Zongo in the Awutu Senya East Constituency of the Central Region.
The CHRAJ said that 12 instances of gifts and food items were offered near polling stations to influence voting were recorded by the observers.
The Commission further underlined that it involved 10 representatives of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), a representative of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and an unidentified individual.
The statement, however, revealed that eight out of the persons, who were offered the gifts in an interview with the observers, said there was no need to report the case as it did not influence their voting.
Moreover, the GHRAJ also highlighted incidents of assault and intimidation suffered by individuals during the elections, including the intimidation and verbal assault of 11 election officials and three election observers, as well as human rights abuses, documented and reported by the media.
The statement also highlighted the abuse of state resources, particularly state vehicles, in the transportation of food to polling agents, and the transportation of political party agents/candidates.
The Commission commended the Electoral Commission (EC), the security services, and all related actors in ensuring a successful election.
The CHRAJ congratulated Mr John Dramani Mahama, the NDC presidential candidate for the 2024 presidential election, for his decisive victory.
The Commission commended the Vice President and NPP flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for conceding defeat in good time, which helped to calm down tension for peace to prevail.
“We also wish to use this opportunity to appeal to the supporters of the winning NDC to be measured in their celebrations and to desist from destroying public properties,” the statement outlined.
BY BENJAMIN ARCTON-TETTEY