[ad_1]
Some civil society organizations, including the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), have urged the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to seek legal redress due to their unwillingness to accept the outcome of the 2020 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Dr. Angela Dwamena-Aboagye, who read the statement on behalf of CSOs, noted that only the court is mandated to address any issues the NDC has regarding the just-concluded elections. .
“As we have said before, holding demonstrations and going to court are neither exclusive nor contradictory. Legal remedies can be sought even if peaceful demonstrations take place. “
“Therefore, we join the voices of the public in urging the NDC to present their concerns to the court for legal redress,” he said.
Dr. Dwamena-Aboagye assured the aggrieved parties that while going to court may seem inconsequential, considering the fact that while the case is being judged, the swearing in of the president and parliamentarians and other processes would take place, only the courts have the constitutional “mandate to make the necessary changes after their verdict on election-related disputes.”
The CSO comments come after former President John Dramani Mahama and his party said they are unwilling to accept the results of the 2020 elections.
Addressing the press after the Electoral Commission (EC) announced the winner of the elections, Mahama said that his team had noticed some irregularities in the collation of the ballots.
“I stand before you tonight unwilling to accept the fictitious results of a flawed election,” Mahama said.
After his speech, party members across the country have embarked on demonstrations to protest the results of the presidential elections.
CSOs also urged NDC supporters who have embarked on a nationwide protest to seek police protection to ensure their protests are peaceful.
According to Dr. Dwamena-Aboagye, all citizens have the political and civil right to demonstrate if they disapprove of any national development.
“Members of the political party, therefore, have the right to express themselves through demonstrations as long as they are peaceful.”
