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 Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba, head of the AU Election Observation Mission speaking to journalists on his arrival. Picture: NII MARTEY M. BOTCHWAY
Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba, head of the AU Election Observation Mission speaking to journalists on his arrival. Picture: NII MARTEY M. BOTCHWAY

Hold peaceful elections. Commonwealth, AU observer missions tell voters

The Commonwealth and the African Union (AU) observer groups in Ghana to monitor the December 7 general election have urged Ghanaians to hold peaceful elections to demonstrate their maturity in democracy.

Speaking on arrival in Accra yesterday ahead of the general election, the former President of Namibia and leader of the AU Election Observation Mission, Mr Hifikepunye Pohamba, said the AU looked forward to free, fair and transparent elections that would be devoid of violence.

“From the AU’s perspective, we see Ghana as a big brother for some other African countries, for which reason we want to see the elections of next week being conducted in an atmosphere of peace, in accordance with democracy,” he added.

AU observers

The AU Election Observation Mission has been in the country for the past few weeks to observe and monitor the processes leading to the conduct of the December polls and interact with key stakeholders, such as the Electoral Commission (EC), the political parties and the security agencies, for credible elections.

The arrival of the head of the AU Observation Mission is expected to give a major boost to the effective policing of the electoral process, especially on the day of the polls.

Mr Pohamba is expected to receive briefing on the state of affairs from other members of the team who have been in the country for some days now.

 He will also hold meetings with key stakeholders before the elections come off next Wednesday.

Stating the mission of the team, Mr Pohamba said: “Our task is to observe the elections and on the basis of whether the processes are fair, peaceful and reflective of the wishes of the people. That is the wish of the AU for Ghana.”

‘Democracy is key’

He threw some light on the AU’s expectation of the country’s polls, saying that the AU Agenda 2063 required member countries to uphold democratic principles that would protect the rights of all citizens.

Mr Pohamba observed that just as Ghana had been a torch bearer in the struggle for political independence on the continent, it was important for it to consolidate the democratic gains by removing all obstacles in the electoral process.

For its part, a 17-member team of eminent persons drawn from across different regions of the Commonwealth says it looks forward to peaceful elections.

The team is led by a former South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, on the orders of the Commonwealth Secretary General, Ms Patricia Scotland, and comprises dignitaries from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

"We are aware of the significance of these elections to the people of Ghana. Our presence here affirms the support of the Commonwealth to the country and its democratic processes," he said.

Mr Mbeki said the group would perform their observation role with impartiality, independence and transparency.

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