Election 2012: NPP challenge presidential results

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) has vehemently expressed concerns over the conduct of this year’s election saying, the presidential poll was fraught with several irregularities.

Consequently, the party in a press statement has requested that the Chairman of the Electoral Commission (EC), Dr Kwadwo Afari-Gyan, to factor what it described as “the widespread and systemic abuse of the electoral process”.

“I ask that you consider the widespread and systemic abuse of the electoral process, witnessed across the country and aided by H.E. the President, John Dramani Mahama‘s statement for people to vote even if not verified by the machines, which is clearly unlawful”, the statement said.

Against that background urged the EC to, in the name of protecting the credibility of the ballot, order a re-collation of the presidential ballots at the constituency level.

Below is the full statement of the NPP

The Returning Officer
Presidential Election 2012
Electoral Commission
Accra

Dear Sir

RE: REQUEST FOR AN AUDIT OF VERIFICATION MACHINES AND RECOUNT OF THE PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT

I write as Chairman of NPP to express the concerns of our Party over the conduct of this year’s general election, particularly with regards to the Presidential poll. I am doing so because I believe that the proper conduct and declaration of results of a credible process is the surest way to promote the peace and stability of our democratic nation.

I have attached here a copy of a statement I have issued that has set out in detail our concerns.

I ask that you consider the widespread and systemic abuse of the electoral process, witnessed across the country and aided by H.E. the President, John Dramani Mahama‘s statement for people to vote even if not verified by the machines, which is clearly unlawful, some of which are cited in our attached statement,

We request that you, as the Returning Officer of the Presidential Elections,

1. Cause an audit of the Verification Machine to establish that it tallies with Constituency Collated signed results and
2. Order a re-collation of the presidential ballot at the constituency level to help establish the credibility and accuracy of this year’s Presidential election.

This in my view would assist considerably to allay public anxiety, which is growing hour by hour and due to the announcements being made in the Ghanaian media. It would also obviate any legal and protracted judicial proceedings on the issues and permit the resolutions of our concerns promptly, to enable due declaration to be made.

In the light of the above concerns, we request for an immediate meeting with your good self to find a resolution to these matters before you announce the results of the 2012 elections.