By-Mohammed Saani Ibrahim-

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers [CODEO] has lauded the Electoral Commission [EC] for ensuring that eligible voters had the opportunity to exercise their franchise 24 hours after the close of polls on 7th December. The Coalition further commended the people of Ghana for the peaceful manner in which they exercise their franchise, even in situations where they had experienced some hitches due to the technical breakdown of the verification machines.

In a press statement issued in Accra and jointly signed by the Coalition’s Co-Chairpersons, Justice VCRAC Crabbe and Prof. Miranda Greenstreet, added that CODEO had deployed its observers to polling stations where voting for the 2012 general elections was adjourned due to technical glitches encountered on the first day

The statement added that the observers had earlier reported that voting in these affected polling stations was generally peaceful and largely incident free. Nonetheless, the Coalition wishes to remind Ghanaians of the need to remain peaceful and maintain utmost discipline to ensure that the peace of the nation is preserved, the statement indicated.

‘’CODEO urges leaders of political parties to restrain their supporters from taking the law into their own hands where they are not satisfied with any given situation’’.

The Coalition condemns crowd action in any part of the country in the wake of the elections as we commend the security services for moving quickly to bring such situations under control. CODEO urges all of us to remain calm and allow the security agencies to handle all incidents. The Coalition also calls on the Electoral Commission to be proactive in providing necessary and timely information to the public at all times, the statement says.