IDEG trains over 1,000 election observers

A two-day training programme for more than 1,000 local election observers, to help ensure that everything goes well in the December 07 polls has ended Kumasi.

It was organized by the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG) with support from STAR-Ghana, a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism.

On hand, to assist them to have better understanding and work within the context of their core mandate, was the Ashanti Regional Training Manager of the Electoral Commission (EC), Mr. Eric Mensah Bonsu.

He cautioned them to step back from interfering with the election and said that would not be accepted.

It was not within their remit to direct voters or election officials on what to do, he said, adding that, they should avoid doing anything that could obstruct voting at any of the polling centres.

Mr. Bonsu asked that they got right with regulations, governing the election – Constitutional Instrument (C.I. 94).

He asked that they reported their findings to the EC for appropriate action to be taken.  

The trainees were taken through the voting process, specific activities on election-day – arrival of voting materials, counting of the votes, collation and tabulation of election results.

The training workshop also provided the platform to discuss emerging issues that could potentially affect the peaceful conduct of the polls.

Ms. Eileen Goody Gans-Lartey, Programmes Assistant of IDEG, counselled trainees to conduct themselves well and conform to the EC’s guidelines.

Their motivation should be the peaceful and credible conduct of the presidential and parliamentary elections to keep the nation united and on the path of democratic growth, she added.

Source: GNA