Election2000: Ruling party warns of chaos if…

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) warned on Thursday that there will be chaos if all political parties usurped the Electoral Commission's authority and declared their own results.

A statement issued in Accra said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) had said openly that it would compile and declare its own results. It asked the EC "to issue a firm warning to the NPP and other parties that may be contemplating similar action."

The NDC accused the NPP of planning to take to the streets to prevent the EC from announcing the authentic results. "We wish to serve notice that any illegal declaration of election results and subsequent mayhem organised by the NPP to disturb the peace and tranquillity of this nation will be resolutely resisted by the peace-loving people of Ghana," it said.

The NDC also accused the NPP of misinformation and "direct fabrications" saying it is part of the NPP's negative propaganda tactics. It said the pronouncements of the NPP leaders and the heckling of NDC supporters in the Ashanti Region, which is the stronghold of the NPP, make the situation worrying.

"All the above, coupled with reports that the NPP is currently busy recruiting ex-servicemen, is a pointer to the dangerous intentions of the party," it said. The NDC appealed to religious leaders and NGOs to speak out on these developments, which pose a threat to the peace and stability of the country.

"The NDC is committed to a peaceful electoral process and will work with all who are interested to assist the EC to ensure a free, fair and transparent electioneering process."

The party also asked the electoral commission to solve the problem of acquisition of photo ID cards in the rural areas. This is because many people have still not changed their thumb-printed cards to photo ID cards.

"We call upon the Electoral Commission to come out clearly and unambiguously as to its position on the fate of those who, through no fault of theirs and as a result of travel difficulties, could not go to the district capital for their photo IDs."