The National Peace Council has appealed to the general public especially the leadership and supporters of the two major political parties thus; National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to refrain from any activity that may directly or indirectly disturb the peace of the country after the delivery of the judgment of the Supreme Court.
According to the National Peace Council, their attention has been drawn to the announcement by the Supreme Court of its intention to deliver the judgment in the election petition currently before the Court, on 4th March, 2021.
Peace pact cannot be rated above the weight of electoral rules – Prof. John Gatsi
In this regard, the National Peace Council recalls the following significant events which preceded the general elections of December 2020:
1. On December 4, 2020 the Presidential Candidates of the NPP, the Second Respondent in the said Petition, and the Presidential Candidate of the NDC, the Petitioner in this case, publicly subscribed to the Accra Peace Declaration in which they inter alia:
• Committed themselves and their supporters to peaceful elections in the December 2020 elections.
Nana Addo won 2020 elections with clean hands; Polls was transparent, free and fair – NPP
• Committed themselves to the judicial resolution of all election disputes, and
• Undertook to restrain their supporters from resorting to violence in the aftermath of the elections.
2. Both NPP and NDC in 2020 publicly subscribed to a Code of Conduct and a Roadmap on the eradication of political vigilantism and election related violence on the grounds that they are inimical to Ghana’s democratic system.
3. In 2019, Parliament unanimously passed the Vigilantism and Politically Related Offences Act 2019 (Act 999) to prohibit vigilantism in all forms.
NPP reacts to NDC’s Petition for challenging 2020 Presidential election results
In a statement issued by the Chairman of the National Peace Council Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi said, pursuant to the above declarations and enactment, the National Peace Council, respectfully calls
on all the parties in the dispute i.e., the former President, Mr. John Dramani Mahama, the President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, as well as the Electoral Commission, to strictly adhere to the ruling of the Supreme Court regardless of who wins or loses in the yet to be delivered judgment.
The National Peace Council appeals to them to refrain from any activity that may directly or indirectly encourage, their followers or officials to disturb the peace of the country after the delivery of the judgment of the Supreme Court. In this regard we encourage all supporters of the two political parties not to engage in any activity that is a potential threat to the peace of Ghana.
[Full Documents]: John Mahama’s elections Petition to the Supreme Court
The National Peace Council concludes by calling on the Media Social and Political Commentators and indeed all citizens, to be circumspect in their reports and discussions after the Supreme Court has delivered its judgment in order to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the state.
The Peace Council respectfully appeals to all the people of Ghana to continue to resort to time tested non-violent mechanisms to address any outstanding election related complaints peacefully, either through the judicial process or by means of available alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
President Akufo-Addo’s spokespersons on election petition announcedÂ
The National Peace Council and our Regional Peace Councils are ready to facilitate the resolution of such electoral disputes.
SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh
