Let's Play It Safe, Vote Mills - Annang

Accra, Dec. 26, GNA - All Ghanaians have been advised to vote for Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of National Democratic Congress (NDC), in Sunday's Presidential Election Runoff to avoid a possible clash between Parliament and the Presidency.

The NDC has 114 parliamentary seats compared to the 107 seats of New Patriotic Party (NPP) and this situation could be a constant source of conflict between the Presidency and the Legislature, if Professor Mills did not win Sunday's polls, Mr Danny Annang, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of NDC, stated in Accra on Thursday.

He said: "The NDC has taken firm control of Parliament - the legislative arm of government- capturing 114 seats; controls seven regions - Western, Central, Greater Accra, Volta, Upper East, Upper West, and Northern Regions and a vote for Professor Mills would, therefore, consolidate Ghana's democracy."

Mr Annang, who was addressing members and supporters of NDC, said a vote for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of New Patriotic Party (NPP) would be a recipe for constitutional crisis.

He cited the case during the Third Republic when Parliament rejected the Budget of the People's National Party (PNP) because the Party did not have the numbers in Parliament on the day the Budget was presented. Mr Annang explained that the NDC stands on the threshold of controlling the next Parliament and by the Constitutional arrangement the Majority Leader runs government business in the House. Mr Annang said the NDC as the majority party in Parliament, would also nominate the next Speaker, who is the third powerful person after the President, and the Vice-President.

He said it would be disastrous for the Leader of Government Business and Speaker of Parliament not to belong to the President's party, adding that the country should not choose such a dangerous road. He said: "What is important is for Ghanaians to think about the welfare of one another rather than issues that would create anarchy in the society and litigation among the people."

Mr Annang called on the Chairman of the National Security Council, the Electoral Commission and the Inspector General of Police, to take appropriate measures to forestall actions that might hinder the smooth running of Sunday's polls.

He described Prof. Mills as the President every Ghanaian could trust to govern with humane policies, ensure the protection of all and share the national cake across board, irrespective of ethnic or party affiliations.