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The standard bearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Mahama, has advised electorates and all interested parties to secure peace before the December elections.
Speaking at an event to sign a Peace Pact for the Presidential Elections, he said, “Elections are about counting heads and not cutting off heads.”
Mahama warned voters to respect the law and refrain from acts of violence citing the incident from the 2019 Ayawaso West Wuohon by-elections.
“Let us strive to prevent the violence of the past, particularly as seen in early 2019 during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-elections, which to date has gone unpunished.”
The former president indicated that recent events under the government led by Akufo-Addo have given many moments of anxiety and doubt about the ability of this administration to carry out peaceful elections without violence.
He said: “The loss of three lives in the course of a regular voter registration exercise is also cause for concern.”
Mahama added: “The military siege of the Volta region and elsewhere during the search exercise created an intimidating atmosphere akin to a nation at war.”
However, he believes that despite the fear, he is hopeful that the electorates will adhere and abide by the electoral rules and ensure a peaceful vote.
He said “we are optimistic. Faced with similar doubts in the past, Ghanaians have risen to the occasion and held peaceful elections.
“It is my prayer that, despite our deepest fears, we will be proven wrong and that Ghana will once again be the beacon of democracy in Africa,” he emphasizes.
Mahama also called on the media and other stakeholders to be objective in their reporting to deliver a fair, transparent and national-interest result.
“Our country is at a critical juncture in history. Never has the lives of so many depended on the power of a thumb. Now more than ever, we need the institutions of our democracy to work impartially to achieve a fair, transparent and national-interest result.
The Electoral Commission, the Judiciary, the Security Services and the media have the future of our nation in their hands ”. Added.
The pact that was signed in Accra on Friday will see both candidates agree to seek redress through the judicial process in the event of any electoral dispute.
At the event, President Akufo-Addo and John Mahama pledged to maintain and preserve the stability of the country during and after the elections.
