Mahama: I can’t wait for an end to the election petition

President John Mahama says he wishes the election petition trial ends as quickly as possible so the country could focus on developing its resources and people.

Speaking at the national celebration of the Eid-Ul-Fitr celebration at the Black Star Square in the national capital, Accra, Mr. Mahama said: “It is my wish that we quickly put this litigation at the Supreme Court behind us and focus again in building a better Ghana for ourselves and our children”.

President Mahama is the first respondent in the case. The other respondents include the Electoral Commission and the governing National Democratic Congress.

The petitioners — Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo; his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, and the National Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Mr Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey — have alleged gross and widespread irregularities at 10,119 polling stations across the country.

They have argued that Nana Akufo-Addo should have been validly declared President on December 9, 2012 because he obtained 4,0157,12 valid votes, representing 56.85 per cent while President Mahama benefited from 2,622,551 votes, representing 41.79 per cent of the valid votes cast in the 2012 election.

Lawyers from either side gave their oral addresses to the nine-member Supreme Court Bench on Wednesday.

The Court is expected to pronounce its judgment in about a month from now.

President Mahama, once again, reiterated his readiness to accept whatever verdict is pronounced by the Court at the end of the hearing.