Introduction
The ongoing general election in Ghana marks an important moment in the country’s democratic journey. Voters nationwide actively participate in the process, showcasing their civic commitment and dedication to strengthening democratic governance. Preliminary observations highlight a peaceful atmosphere at most polling stations, with voters patiently queuing to exercise their franchise. The Electoral Commission has maintained its commitment to transparency and efficiency, ensuring timely delivery of voting materials to most polling locations. Local and international observers are actively monitoring the process to uphold compliance with electoral laws and ensure credibility.
Opening of Polling Stations
Data from our partner, the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), in collaboration with the National Peace Council (NPC), reveals that 63.94% of polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m., according to reports from 327 observers. Most polling stations were operational between 7:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., reflecting a prompt start to the electoral process.
Inclusion
Persons with disabilities were given priority at the polling units. Appropriate voting equipment was also provided for the visually impaired, and election officials assisted them. Priority was also given to pregnant women and the elderly.
Caption: Ballot for visually impaired
Party Agents
Our observers and those deployed by our partners noted the absence of polling agents at many units. Out of the 327 reports, 93.33% indicated no party agents were present at the stations observed. Where agents were present, they were primarily from the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Security Agents
Observers noticed the presence of security personnel across polling stations to maintain order and ensure the safety of voters and election officials. Their presence has contributed to a calm and secure environment, with no significant incidents of violence reported so far.
DUBAWA’S Election Disinformation Dashboard
The Ghana Fact-checking Coalition, which includes DUBAWA, has played a pivotal role in maintaining electoral integrity by debunking misleading claims related to the election. In the period leading up to the polls, the Coalition successfully debunked eight flagged claims. On election day, seven additional claims were identified, with two already verified and published and five currently under review. This ongoing vigilance is vital in preventing the spread of false narratives and ensuring voters have access to accurate information.
Beyond these efforts, we have detected a coordinated network of Twitter (X) accounts disseminating harmful disinformation targeting presidential candidates, often linked to specific election-related hashtags. Through DUBAWA’s partnership with META, our team has fact-checked more than 23 election-related claims across various META platforms, including content artificially generated as videos or audio, as well as misleading text posts on Facebook. By flagging these claims, META ensures that users have the necessary context before engaging with the potentially false information. Together, these initiatives underscore a proactive and multi-faceted approach to preserving truth and credibility throughout the electoral process.
Conclusion
WANEP observers report a generally peaceful and orderly election with minor incidents that have been promptly addressed. The collaboration between the CJID and WANEP continues to enhance the effectiveness of election observation efforts.
Further updates will be provided as the day progresses.
For inquiries: Please contact CJID via email at co***@*****id.org. Learn more about our work at www.thecjid.org and www.ghana.dubawa.org or on social media: X at @CJIDAfrica
