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Tower. Dr Ernest Adu-Gyamfi
The National Peace Council (NPC) called on all those who dispute the outcome of the December 7, 2020 election to use established processes to resolve their electoral disputes.
“Moreover, the National Peace Council wishes to draw the attention of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to their public commitment to peace and non-violence when their candidates for the presidency before December 7, 2020, The presidential and parliamentary elections signed the peace pact on December 4, 2020.
“It is also worth referring to the warning from His Lordship the Chief Justice at the event, where he called on all who might have grievances arising from the election to seek redress in court rather than in the street, ”he said. in a declaration signed by its president, Pastor Ernest Adu-Gyamfi.
Guide
In the interest of preserving peace and democracy in Ghana, the AFN urged those with grievances to do so within the legal framework and guided by the 1992 Constitution, the Political Parties Act (2002), the case law based on the 2012 Supreme Court election petition, Regulations 127 (CI) among other legal regimes.
He recalled the NPP’s recourse to the courts to seek redress when it was dissatisfied with the general elections of 2012, which led to rather positive results which led to significant reforms of Ghana’s electoral system.
“In the same spirit, the National Peace Council encourages the NDC to follow suit to deepen our democratic gains rather than taking to the streets; a potential threat that can trigger post-election violence and spoil the entire peaceful electoral process, ”he said.
Recommendations
The statement urged the media to be sensitive to a possible escalation of violence and to approach their work with caution and professionalism.
He also called on the police to apply the laws without fear or favor and to investigate all crimes committed to ensure justice.
He urged the NDC and the NPP to respect the peace documents they had signed by calling on their supporters to refrain from acts of violence and vigilance after the December elections.
“The Democratic National Congress in particular should prevent its supporters from acts of vandalism and destruction and encourage them as to the party’s willingness to resort to legal proceedings to address their grievances,” he said.
The statement urged all religious and faith-based organizations to continue to urge their followers to avoid acts of violence and to use non-violent mechanisms to resolve their electoral disputes.
“The council calls on the National House of Chiefs and all our respected traditional leaders to condemn any act of violence in their traditional areas to ensure peace after the elections,” he said.
Commendation from CE
He congratulated the Electoral Commission (EC) for the good work done which ensured the effectiveness of the biometric devices used during the voting process on December 7, 2020.
“The Council thanks all political parties, the National Electoral Security Working Group, international observation missions, national election observers, civil society organizations, religious bodies and the media for their independent and objective assessment electoral processes which contributed enormously to the peaceful conduct of the elections, ”he declared.
Vigilant
He said the virtual absence of political vigilance in hot spots identified by the police, the EC and the AFN before and after the December 7 elections was also commendable.
He said it was indeed a demonstration of the political parties’ commitment to the Road Map and Code of Conduct that they signed after the dialogue to eradicate political vigilance in Ghana.
He lamented, however, the pockets of violent incidents, including the protest actions that were recorded during and after the rally and the declaration of the election result, some of which resulted in injuries and deaths.
While expressing condolences to the bereaved families, the AFN condemned the incidents and called on the police and other investigative bodies to hold the perpetrators to account in accordance with the laws of the land.
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