General News of Friday, 26 December 2008

Source: GNA

Dr Mahama reiterates PNC's neutrality

Accra, Dec. 26, GNA - Dr Edward Nasigri Mahama, the unsuccessful presidential candidate of the People's National Convention (PNC), has reiterated the party's position to remain neutral in Sunday's Presidential Election Runoff.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency on Friday, he said the party's neutrality did not mean that PNC would not take sides on fundamental issues that concerned the nation.

He said individual members of the party had declared their stand urging people to vote either for Professor John Evans Atta Mills of National Democratic Congress (NDC) or Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of New Patriotic Party (NPP).

Dr Mahama said: "It is clear that the public showed a lot of enthusiasm and maintained a high level of vigilance during the December polls. We expect no less during the run-off." He said although the international community had commended the Electoral Commission (EC) and the people of Ghana for conducting credible elections, it was important that the EC maintained the credibility in the runoff.

Dr Mahama called on the Government, Security Agencies, the Judiciary and the people of Ghana to help to make the runoff a success. He again called on supporters of the contesting parties and the candidates to show commitment to democracy by accepting the outcome of the election.

"We must do nothing to cause tension, which may lead to acrimonious conflict and other undesirable consequences," he said. 26 Dec. 08