Let’s give EC more time – Akufo-Addo

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, presidential candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called on all members of his party and Ghanaians in general to give ample time to the Electoral Commission (EC) to enable them do their work without blemish.

According to him, the party is in pole position to win the elections given the results that have trickled in so far, but as requested by the chair of the commission, Charlotte Osei, the EC should be given enough time to work effectively.

His comments follow a request made by Mrs Osei that the EC will need time to do its work as far as the December 7 polls are concerned.

“The duty we owe the people of Ghana is not to declare results quickly; the duty we owe is to declare results that are accurate and reflect the will of the people of Ghana. That is the oath we have taken, that is the obligation under the law and as much as possible we intend to live up to that oath and to our legal obligation. So we want to urge everyone to please be patient, give us time to make sure that we work with the agents of the candidates and bring you results that are accurate and that reflect the will of the people,” Mrs Charlotte Osei said at a press conference in Accra on Thursday December 8.

Accordingly, addressing party supporters at his Nima residence in Accra minutes after the request by the EC chairperson, Mr Akufo-Addo said: “The Ghanaian people exhibited great maturity yesterday by voting in a peaceful and orderly manner. It has enhanced the reputation of our country. We are waiting for the official confirmation of the results of the voting that took place yesterday.

“We just heard from the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission that she needs more time to be able to complete her work and all of us are duty-bound to support her and give her that time so that we will have a pronouncement that will be devoid of difficulties.

“We in the NPP are quietly confident that we have won a famous and historic victory. By our tally, we won 49 extra seats in parliament and we believe we have also won the main contest, the presidential. We will wait for the Electoral Commission to give us formal final details.”