You are here: HomeOpinionsArticles2012 12 09Article 258900

Opinions of Sunday, 9 December 2012

Columnist: Portuphy, Kofi

The NPP Cannot Declare Election Results

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken note of the press conference held by the New Patriotic Party at its headquarters in Accra today, December 8, 2012, in which the NPP made statements to the effect that the Electoral Commission is the Constitutional body mandated by the law to declare results of public elections conducted in Ghana.

The NDC agrees entirely with the NPP on this score and that is the reason why the Party has never declared the results of any public election in Ghana and will not do so for the 2012 election. Indeed, it is on record that the NPP through Mr. Jake Obetsebi Lamptey, its current Chairman declared the results of the 2004 Presidential election at the Castle Gardens in favour of the NPP The NDC can therefore understand the apprehension of the NPP in this matter. No wonder the NPP at the said press conference claimed that its presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo was comfortably in the lead, with projections of about 4 million votes counted in their favour, representing 40% of total ballots cast. The Campaign Director, Boakye Agyarko appeared very confident as he told the assembled members of the press that Akufo-Addo is just shy of 52% and the party is confident that it will maintain that lead and win the election. The NDC wishes to appeal to its members and supporters to remain calm and await the announcement of the results of the elections by the EC for, the party is confident of chalking a resounding victory.

In the meantime, the NDC has directed that no Parliamentary Candidate of the Party should accept results at the collation to be subjected to a recount unless it is by agreement of all the parties or by a court order.

Signed: 08/12/12

Kofi Portuphy

Vice Chairman and Acting Director of Election