The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations for Transparent Elections (COCTE) has expressed concern over the Electoral Commission's (EC) refusal to grant Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) accreditation to observe the upcoming elections.
The COCTE urged the EC to prioritise building public trust, and encourage citizen participation in the electoral process to ensure peaceful elections.
The Executive Director of Care for Free and Fair Elections Ghana, a non-governmental organisation, David Kumi Addo, at a press conference in Accra last Friday, noted that denying observers accreditation undermined inclusivity and accountability in the electoral process.
Mr Addo explained that election was a lifeblood of democracy and active public participation of citizens was essential to ensure legitimacy. "COCTE believes that every Ghanaian must feel empowered to contribute to the electoral process, whether by voting, observing, or holding institutions accountable," he added.