Accra - The 250-member ECOWAS Election Observation Mission led by former President Olusegun Obasanjo is to due to arrive in Accra on Thursday for Ghana’s general elections, holding on Dec. 7.
A statement from the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja on Thursday stated that the observation mission would be in Ghana ahead of the Dec. 7 elections.
This, it stated, was within the context of the region’s instrument for provision of support to member states holding elections.
The team has representatives from the different West African countries.
According to the statement, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Kadré Ouédraogo, is expected to be in Ghana to provide additional support to the mission.
The ECOWAS observers are expected to meet with political party leaders and other stakeholders in the country to ensure a peaceful environment for the conduct of the polls.
It also stated that Accra would serve as the headquarters and Situation Room for the mission, with three sub-stations in Kumasi, Tamale and Bolgatanga.
The regional observers would be deployed to all the ten administrative regions of Ghana to monitor the conduct of the presidential and legislative elections.
The statement recalled that an ECOWAS assessment mission was in Ghana in October to review preparations for the elections.
The mission interacted with various stakeholders, including representatives of political
parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, the national electoral commission, among others.
The elections in Ghana follow the successful polls in Sierra Leone, which were also observed by ECOWAS.
The sub-region seeks through the Election Observation Missions to promote a culture of transparent and credible elections, consistent with best practises for the enhancement of good governance, regional peace and stability.
NAN