Commonwealth Secretary General calls on President Mills

Accra, May 21, GNA - The margin of votes with which the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) won the 2008 Presidential election indicated a successful navigation of electoral results for good practice of democracy. Commonwealth Secretary General Kamalesh Sharma, who made the observation, added that "The difference, which produced a winner without much hitch is a way of pushing democracy up, and could be emulated in other commonwealth nations".

President John Evans Atta Mills won the Presidential run-off with a margin of 40,586 votes, representing 50.23 per cent when the first round failed to produce a clear winner, who should constitutionally garnered 50 per cent plus one of the total valid votes cast. Mr Sharma was speaking during a courtesy call on President Mills at the Osu Castle in Accra, at the end of the first meeting of management of Commonwealth Network of Electoral Bodies in Accra.

The meeting, convened by Commonwealth Secretariat and hosted by Electoral Commission of Ghana, was to discuss how the network would help improve the standard of election management bodies and provide value to members in strengthening the culture of democracy in their respective countries.

Mr Sharma said Ghana was chosen to host the meeting because of her sound democratic culture over the years, and commended the country for occupying high position in the Commonwealth and its related bodies. "The values and principles for which Ghana stood for are of much importance to the work of the Commonwealth. The success of Ghana's polls over the years is a way of pushing up democratic politics which could be emulated by other nations," he added.

Mr. Sharma noted that formation of the Commonwealth Network of Electoral Bodies would offer a platform for interconnectivity for the advancement of democracy. President Mills said Ghana valued her relationship with the Commonwealth, and was able to achieve many objectives through assistance of the Commonwealth.

He said elections had been the source of discontent, but the intervention of such groups as the Commonwealth Election Observer Groups stemmed potentially troubled situations for peace to prevail. President Mills assured the Commonwealth of Ghana's support, and thanked the organisation for its interest in her affairs. "It is a real pleasure to see you in Ghana," President Mills said. 21 May 10