|
The law mandates only the
EC Chairman to declare election results
Accra, Jan. 11, Ghanadot/GNA - The National Commission for
Civic Education (NCCE) on Friday urged the various political
parties contesting Election 2008 not to torpedo the mandate
of the Electoral Commission (EC) in declaring electoral
results.
"The Electoral laws mandate only the EC Chairman to declare
the results of a Presidential election not even any of his
deputies can make that declaration unless the man drops dead
on the day of declaration.
"No political party, or any individual or group of persons
have the mandate to declare or proclaim the result...because
such an act constitute a recipe for electoral dispute and
disaster and must be discouraged," Mr Laary Bimi NCCE
Chairman stated at press conference in Accra.
The conference dubbed; "The Need for a Peaceful Election in
Ghana 2008," focused on the role of stakeholders including
President John Agyekum Kufuor,
the media, EC, NCCE, political parties, religious bodies,
traditional rulers and the Judiciary.
Responding to questions from newsmen, Mr. Bimi flanked by
other officials of the Commission including; Mrs Augustina
Akusua Akumanyin, Deputy Chairperson in Charge of
Operations; Mr. Baron Amoafo, Deputy Chairman in charge of
Finance and Administration; and Mr Kwame Opoku-Afriyie, a
member of the Commission pleaded with politicians to resist
the temptation of declaring their own collated presidential
results.
Mr Bimi explained that Ghana stood at a threshold of making
electoral history and setting the pace for democratic
development in Africa, therefore all political parties and
politicians must ensure that; "we move forward and not
create conditions for disputing the results of the general
elections."
"Imagine a situation where two or more political parties
declare their own results...this certainly would lead to
electoral confusion," the NCCE chairman stated.
He also called on the Government to provide all flagbearers
equal security protection - body guards at the expense of
the state.
The candidates so far elected are; Professor John Evans Atta
Mills of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Dr Edward
Mahama of the Peoples National Convention (PNC); Dr Paa
Kwesi Nduom of the Convention People's Party (CPP); and Nana
Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr Bimi however, advised that the provision of security
should be done in consultation with the flagbearers and the
various political parties to ensure that the individuals
involved have confidence in the bodyguards.
Mr Bimi also cautioned politicians to desist from making
promises to traditional authorities and wading into
chieftaincy conflicts.
Mrs Akumanyin said the notion that winning Election 2008 was
a matter of life and death should be debunked.
GNA
|
