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Election petition: I want removal of doubt, Mahama explains

John Mahama says his interest is to avoid a future process “that leaves us confused and with more questions than answers.”

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  • "Some people have asked me what I hope to gain by challenging the results of this election, let me tell you, I want perhaps the very same thing my opponent wanted when in 2012 he challenged the results of that election. I want the removal of doubt."

The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has explained that he filed a petition challenging the results of Election 2020 because he wants to “remove all doubts” surrounding the polls.

In a televised address to the nation on Wednesday hours after filing the petition at the Supreme Court, Mahama said his interest is to avoid a future process “that leaves us confused and with more questions than answers.”

According to him, the Electoral Commission failed to act in accordance with the constitution, denying him the opportunity to return to power hence the need to seek for justice in the apex court of the nation.

“Some people have asked me what I hope to gain by challenging the results of this election.

“Let me tell you: I want, perhaps, the very same thing that my opponent wanted when in 2012 he challenged the results of that election; I want the removal of doubt. I want for all of us to know that our elections should be free, fair, and safe—and that we do not have to settle for a process that leaves us confused, and with more questions than answers,” Mahama stated.

He added: “I want a Ghana where institutions of state can be held to account. Where we can stand on principle and demand transparency without the risk of losing our lives.

“When people lose their lives – as seven people did – in the course of our elections, we are moving backwards not forward; we are unraveling the very fabric of our democracy; we are risking the loss of three decades worth of progress.”

“I won’t concede”

Mahama stated that he is not conceding defeat after the 2020 elections “because of the dedication to principle and a commitment to democracy.”

“I’m here to assure you that I know what it’s to act in the interest of peace… I know what it’s to concede and I have done so before. In 2016 when the election was not called in my favour I conceded. I conceded not simply in the interest of peace and democracy, but because I respect the will of the people. I did then and I so do now.

“So, when I say that I’ll not concede in this election please know that I’m not taking this decision lightly.

“Understand that it is not because of the desire for power but because of the dedication to principle and a commitment to democracy. Based on the irregular and inconsistent results that were reported I have reasons to believe this election was not free, fair or transparent. And without those fundamental pillars in place how can we be sure that the results announced truly represents the will of the people,” he noted.

Election petition

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially filed a petition at the Supreme Court to challenge the 7 December presidential election result.

“The National Democratic Congress, wishes to inform the general public that at about 12PM this afternoon, the leader and presidential candidate of the party, H.E John Dramani Mahama, caused his lawyers to file a Petition in the Supreme Court of Ghana to challenge the 2020 Presidential Election Results Declaration by the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Ghana,” a statement from the NDC said.

“The Petition was filed pursuant to the party‘s audit of the 2020 Presidential results and extensive consultations with the National Executive Committee and Council of Elders of the party.”

According to the NDC, the petition details serious violations of the 1992 Constitution by the Electoral Commission and its chairperson and returning officer for the presidential election, Jean Adukwei Mensa in the conduct of their constitutional and legal responsibilities.

It seeks among others, a declaration from the Supreme Court to the effect that, the purported declaration of the results of the 2020 Presidential Election on the 9th day of December 2020 is unconstitutional, null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

Chairperson of the Electoral Commission Jean Mensah on the 9 December 2020 declared President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo as president elect having secured 51.59% of the valid votes cast. The result of the presidential election has since been gazetted.

However, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it cannot accept the results because it is “flawed”.

Protests to continue

However, Mahama, has told supporters that the election petition at the Supreme Court should not stop them from protesting on the streets since it is one of the “legitimate means” to register their grievances.

In a Facebook post, Mahama, who lost to incumbent Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, said: “The National Democratic Congress has decided to proceed to the Supreme Court to contest the results of the rigged elections of December 7. The decision follows a meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our party on Tuesday in Accra.

“While in court, the NDC will continue all legitimate actions, including protests, to demand the enforcement of the rule of law and protection of life and property of the good people of Ghana”.

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