CODEO Calls for Calm

The Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) has noted with concern the mounting tensions and vitriolic utterances while we are waiting for the final results of the December 28 run-off elections to be declared by the Electoral Commission.

CODEO calls on the EC to continue to be transparent in collating, certifying and announcing the results.  While anxiously waiting for the EC results, CODEO calls on the leaders of the two contending parties – the NDC and the NPP – to show leadership and to prevail on their supporters to remain calm.

Given the highly competitive nature of this election and the projected closeness of the race, the Electoral Commission needs to verify the accuracy of results. For the Electoral Commission to complete this task effectively and fairly, the parties must refrain from inflammatory statements that could undermine the electoral process.

We especially plead with supporters of the political parties who are gathered at the premises of the Electoral Commission and elsewhere to go home peacefully.

We call on all Ghanaians to continue to place confidence in the Electoral Commission and to allow the processes of the electoral system to function.

CODEO also encourages the two presidential candidates and their respective political parties to accept the official results. We call on the candidate who loses the election to gracefully concede defeat, and the victorious candidate to be magnanimous.

The president-elect, when sworn in, will be president of all Ghanaians during the coming four years and must therefore move quickly beyond the partisan politics of the electoral process to earn the support of all Ghanaians.

Finally, CODEO appeals to all Ghanaians to remain calm as the nation prepares for yet another transition.

Signed:

Professor Miranda Greenstreet and Justice VCRAC Crabbe,

Joint Chairpersons

(For and on Behalf of the Advisory Board)

CODEO Secretariat, Tuesday, December 30 2008, 2:30pm

 

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