Ghana
Ghana’s main opposition party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has been condemned for claiming victory in the presidential polls held on December 7.
Barely hours after the close of polls across most parts of the country, the NPP campaign chief, Peter Mac Manu, called a press conference where he asked the incumbent to concede defeat to his main contender, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.
He said per the party’s “parallel” counting of results from across the country, the NPP had 54% out of 80% of the votes counted so far.
EC condemns action of the NPP
But the Electoral Commission (EC) condemned the claims by the opposition stating that it rested with the EC to declare results of the polls.
“It has come to the attention of the Electoral Commission the press conference held by the New Patriotic Party on the results of the 2016 presidential elections. We wish to state that currently the Commission has not received any certified collated results from the various constituencies nationwide,” the EC’s Director of Elections, Mr Samuel Tettey stated.
He stressed that, “By law, it is only the chairperson who can declare the certified results of the 2016 presidential elections. The Commission therefore urges the general public to remain calm while it awaits the certified results.”
National Peace Council calls for circumspection
The National Peace Council (NPC), a group of eminent Ghanaians tasked to engage political stakeholders to maintain peace before, during and after the polls also condemned the NPP’s declaration.
Chairman of the NPC, Prof Emmanuel Asante called on the two top parties to be circumspect in their actions and not do anything to upset the prevailing peace in the country.
Ruling party urge calm, says they are winning
The ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) in reaction to the NPP’s claims urged their supporters to remain calm.
“We wish to also encourage our supporters to continue to remain calm as the ballots make their way to the constituency collation centres. At this moment, a number of radio stations are announcing polling station results, and not constituency tallies.
“With the details we have from our Parallel Vote Tabulation, President John Dramani Mahama is in a comfortable lead, and we encourage all supporters to wait for the Electoral Commission as it receives and releases the verified results to the media via its Coalition & Media Centres.” the statement noted.
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