Press Release From NDC

ELECTION 2008 – THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT

The National Democratic Congress wishes to put on record its response to the allegations made by the New Patriotic Party that we have made a reckless claim regarding yesterday’s elections.

We of the NDC have done no such thing, however as a responsible political party we will act to ensure that the voice of the people is respected and that the election results accurately reflects the will of the people.

The National Democratic Congress had previously asked all its Parliamentary Candidates to forward the final results for each constituency based on the final results declared at the collation centre by the Electoral Commission. We have attached to this press statement the results that we have had confirmed in respect of parliamentary victories and we know that as a result there is no way that the NPP can win this election It is simply not possible.

We therefore would be very surprised if any subsequent announcement would present any different result, and we call on the Electoral Commission to ensure the integrity of the Election is respected.

The New Patriotic Party will not be able to use spin and sophistry to create an impression of victory where there has clearly been defeat.

In view of the fact that results have been declared in the Constituency Centres on the list attached we are requesting that the Electoral Commission ensures that results are released expeditiously.

We object very strongly to the total Constituency recount that took place at Ayawaso Central as the law makes it quite clear that ballots are to be recounted at the polling station and any challenge at the Constituency collation centre should be in respect of a particular ballot box.

The situation where a Minister of State in the NPP Government (I.C. Quaye) can order a total recount of the ballot contrary to the provisions of the Electoral laws specifically C.I. 15 is most unfortunate and we are surprised that the Electoral Officers present and the Electoral Commission allowed this to happen.

We appreciate the fact that the NPP itself may be in a state of panic, but we would request that it does not extend its panic and confusion to the good people of Ghana, as it would be most unfortunate if it creates any confusion in its bid to hold on to power.

We would call on the NPP to recognize that in a democracy, all of us who are political players, must learn to respect the will of the people even if it is not what they wished would happen.

We have been reliably informed that there was a Security Meeting which took place in a premises at Ridge where it was decided by the Leadership of the Security Services that they would assist the Electoral Commission to declare the results of the election in favour of the NPP Presidential Candidate by a margin of 50.9 to 51%.

We are also informed that it was decided that if there are any public protests, any such actions are to be put down forcefully by the military and a state of emergency declared in order to maintain the NPP in power. The NDC assures all Ghanaians that the wind of change is blowing and is blowing for real, but we request all our Members to be calm, vigilant and wait patiently for the results to be declared.

We have shown before that we are an example to the Continent of Africa as far as our democracy is concerned, and we of the NDC will ensure that we do our part to uphold and protect that legacy.