Election monitors belonging to the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) reported that the 13th national polls and referendum were conducted in a mostly celebratory, organized, and peaceful manner. Visiting 414 polling booths spread across all eight divisions, including 169 in rural areas and 234 in urban settings, which covered 71 percent of the country’s 64 districts, ANFREL stated that almost 90 percent of reports from its observers indicated no irregularities in the general voting procedures.
Despite the positive assessment, ANFREL highlighted a lack of ramps and wheelchair access at most polling stations, posing challenges for persons with disabilities and elderly voters. Observers also raised concerns about political party-run voter identification desks near several polling stations, which they feared could encourage vote-buying activities.
In a post-election statement, ANFREL acknowledged that while most centers opened smoothly, some experienced minor delays that hindered the timely entry of polling agents and observers, leading to tensions and sporadic physical confrontations between representatives of rival parties. ANFREL noted that 94 percent of observed polling stations closed on schedule without any reported disruptions, except for two centers where polling agents raised issues during the counting process.
The organization’s observers reported various shortcomings, including presiding officers failing to announce ballot box serial numbers upon opening, inadequate CCTV surveillance at counting centers, and lapses in ensuring separate counting of parliamentary and referendum ballots. ANFREL praised the extensive and visible security measures in place throughout the electoral process.
Meanwhile, election monitors from the European Union and the Commonwealth commended the high voter turnout and peaceful conduct during the elections. The European Union Election Observation Mission, deploying 200 observers nationwide for the first comprehensive EU mission since 2008, noted positive voter enthusiasm until midday. The mission maintained real-time communication with on-ground observers, monitoring polling station openings, voter turnout, and overall election proceedings.
The Commonwealth described the elections as the largest democratic event of 2026, both regionally and globally, with diaspora voters participating from 122 countries alongside the constitutional referendum. The Commonwealth Observer Group, led by Nana Akufo-Addo, oversaw the entire process from polling station openings to result management. Their preliminary report is expected soon.
Overall, the electoral event drew significant international attention, with 394 international observers and 197 foreign journalists present to monitor and report on the election and referendum activities.