The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has readied 195 observers for the imminent Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) Exercise organized by the Electoral Commission (EC).
These observers, distributed across 146 randomly selected districts, underwent comprehensive training for the event, scheduled to kick off on May 7 and conclude on May 27, 2024.
Comprising 25 Regional Coordinators, 84 stationary observers, and 86 mobile observers, the observer team is primed for professional conduct at the registration centers, ensuring the delivery of quality reports to CODEO’s data center throughout the registration period, as stated by Albert Kofi Arhin, the National Coordinator for CODEO, in a statement issued on Monday, May 6.
Mr. Arhin underscored that the observation of the 2024 BVR aligns with CODEO’s objective to foster transparency, public confidence, and trust in the electoral process.
“CODEO’s observation of the 2024 BVR is in line with its objective to promote transparency, public confidence and trust in the electoral process. The observation of the BVR exercise is the first of the Coalition’s elections support activities planned towards the 2024 general elections,” he added.
“The Coalition appeals to all stakeholders involved in the electoral process, with a special emphasis on political party leaders and supporters, to abide by the rules and stated procedures governing the conduct of the registration exercise and avoid any acts and expressions that may undermine the peacefulness and credibility of the registration exercise.”
“The Coalition also entreats all stakeholders to employ lawful and nonviolent avenues to seek resolution for any complaints that may arise during the exercise,” he stated.
Encouraging all eligible voters, especially first-time voters, to partake in the registration exercise for the upcoming 2024 general elections, Mr. Arhin urged stakeholders, particularly political party leaders and supporters, to adhere to the rules and procedures governing the registration process to uphold its peacefulness and credibility.
“The observation of the 2024 Biometric Voter Registration exercise is jointly supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) through funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Consortium for Elections and Political Processes Strengthening (CEPPS) mechanism,” he added.
He emphasized that the BVR exercise observation marks the initial step of the Coalition’s electoral support activities for the 2024 general elections.
He further urged stakeholders to resort to lawful and nonviolent means to address any complaints arising during the exercise.
Mr. Arhin assured that observation reports would be periodically shared with the public throughout the exercise.