IDEG-CFI to establish election situation rooms ahead of December 2024 polls
As Ghana prepares for the December 2024 general elections, the Institute for Democratic Governance and the Civic Forum Initiative (IDEG-CFI) will activate election situation rooms nationwide to coordinate its election observation efforts.
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These hubs will be operational three months before election day, serving as central points for real-time data collection, monitoring electoral incidents, and ensuring swift interventions through collaboration with the Electoral Commission, the National Elections Security Task Force, media, and other local and international observer groups.
During a training workshop for regional coordinators, IDEG’s Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey, stressed the importance of the election situation rooms as command centers for tracking and responding to electoral developments, particularly in high-risk areas.
Funding
The training which was co-funded by the European Union, Norwegian Embassy and Oxfam marks a critical step in IDEG-CFI preparations to deploy about 1,500 election observers nationwide, aimed at ensuring peaceful, credible, and transparent elections before, during and after December elections.
Dr. Akwetey underscored the need for clear and rapid communication between regional coordinators and the situation rooms to address potential election-related conflicts.
He also cautioned participants about the heightened political tensions and complex socio-political issues influencing the election, including protests over illegal mining (galamsey).
He emphasised that the role of the observers is not only to collect data but to grasp the broader electoral dynamics and contribute to a peaceful election process.
He urged the coordinators to remain vigilant, neutral, and mindful of their impartiality, reminding them that any action compromising their objectivity could undermine the election observation mission.
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By launching the election situation rooms early, IDEG aims to enhance coordination and preparedness, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the 2024 general elections.