[ad_1]
Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi
The National Peace Council (APN) has asked all those who oppose the outcome of the December 7, 2020 election to use established processes to address their electoral disputes.
“Furthermore, the National Peace Council would like to draw the attention of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (PNP) to their public commitment to peace and non-violence when their presidential candidates before December 7, 2020, The presidential and parliamentary elections signed the Peace Pact on December 4, 2020.
“It is also worth referring to the admonition of the President of the Supreme Court at the event, where he called on all those who may have grievances derived from the elections to seek legal redress in court rather than in the streets” said. in a statement signed by its president, the Rev. Dr. Ernest Adu-Gyamfi.
Guide
In order to preserve Ghana’s credentials of peace and democracy, the APN urged those with complaints to do so within the legal framework and guided by the 1992 Constitution, Political Parties Act (2002), Case Laws based on the petition for the 2012 Supreme Court election, Regulation 127 (CI) among other legal regimes.
He recalled the PNP’s recourse to the courts to seek redress when it was dissatisfied with the 2012 general elections, which led to quite positive results that led to significant reforms in Ghana’s electoral system.
“Along the same lines, the National Peace Council encourages the NDC to follow suit to deepen our democratic achievements instead of taking to the streets; a potential threat that can trigger post-election violence and spoil the entire peaceful electoral process, “he said.
recommendations
The statement urged the media to be sensitive to a possible escalation of violence and to approach their work with circumspection and professionalism.
He also called on the police to enforce the laws without fear or favor and investigate all crimes committed to ensure justice.
He urged the NDC and the NPP to maintain the peace documents they had signed calling on their supporters to refrain from violence and surveillance after the December elections.
“The Democratic National Congress in particular must restrain its followers from acts of vandalism and destruction and encourage them about the party’s willingness to resort to legal processes to address their complaints,” he said.
The statement urged all religious and religious organizations to continue to urge their followers to avoid acts of violence and to use non-violent mechanisms to address their electoral disputes.
“The council calls on the National Chamber of Chiefs and all our respected traditional rulers to condemn any act of violence within their traditional areas to ensure peace after the elections,” he said.
Commendation from the EC
He congratulated the Electoral Commission (EC) for the good work done that ensured the efficiency of the biometric devices used during the voting process on December 7, 2020.
“The council thanks all political parties, the National Electoral Security Working Group, international observation missions, national election observers, civil society organizations, religious bodies, and the media for their independent evaluation and objective of the electoral processes that greatly contributed to the peaceful conduct of the elections, ”he said.
Vigilant
He said the near absence of political surveillance activities in the hot spots identified by the police, the EC and the APN before and after the December 7 elections was also commendable.
He said it was in fact a demonstration of the political parties’ commitment to the Road Map and Code of Conduct that they signed after the dialogue to eradicate political vigilantism in Ghana.
However, he expressed his regret at the outbreaks of violent incidents, including the protest actions that took place during and after the collection and declaration of the results of the elections, some of which resulted in injuries and deaths.
While expressing its condolences to the bereaved families, the APN condemned those incidents and called on the police and other investigative bodies to hold the perpetrators to account in accordance with the country’s laws.
[ad_2]
