Rawlings To Skip Inauguration

Ex-president Jerry John Rawlings will not participate in today?s swearing-in and inauguration of the President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Victor Smith, Aide to the ex-president, said although they have received an invitation, the former president would not witness the ceremony because of what he perceives as the fraudulent manner the December 7 general elections was organized.

? I have a copy of the invitation and I have even shown it to the former President, but we would not be there?, he said.

He said many things transpire during the elections, which were not healthy for the country?s democracy, stressing,? there was electoral fraud, cheating and a lot of things were doctored?.

Mr. Smith alleged that the Electoral Commission (EC) Dr Kwadwo Afari Djan was coerced into announcing the results when in other parts of the country; some electoral results had not been collated.

The suspicion of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) electoral Fraud stems from the fact that in the Pru Constituency, the NDC polled some votes and the party was convinced that the election was far from over.

Mr. Smith explained that these reasons informed the ex-president to turn down the invitation from the Castle.