By Iddi Yire
Accra, Dec 04, GNA – The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Council of Elders has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to deliver free, fair and peaceful elections.
A statement signed by Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, Chairman, NDC Council of Elders, copied to the Ghana News Agency, urged Ghanaians to vote for former President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC in the December 7 general election.
Alhaji Iddrisu noted that the Council met on Tuesday, December 3, to discuss pertinent issues relating to the December 7 elections, which was only a few days away.
“As Party Elders, we deem it appropriate to add our voices to the calls for peaceful elections. A few days ago, our Presidential Candidate, former President John Mahama, joined other contestants in signing a pact to work in the interest of peace,” he stated.
“The antecedents of the NPP government where elections are concerned are nothing to write home about.”
Alhaji Iddrisu said the recent signing of a peace accord was a step in the right direction.
He said, however, it remains to be seen whether the government was genuinely committed to it.
“We keep reading and hearing of plans to cause mayhem and carry out atrocities similar to what happened in Ayawaso and Techiman in 2019 and 2020 respectively.”
The NDC Council of Elders alleged that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) does not play by the rules.
Alhaji Iddrisu said the current dismal state of affairs in Ghana and the clarion call for change throughout the country had heightened interest in the election and its outcome.
He said the Government was desperate; it knows its days are numbered, but it was doing everything to cling to power.
The Council noted that while the demand for change was nationwide, there were concerns about the commitment of the Akufo-Addo NPP Government to ensure a clean and fair election, free from intimidation and flagrant abuse of incumbency.
It again said for almost eight years, the NPP Government had fleeced and impoverished Ghanaians, stolen from the pensions of the aged, destroyed businesses, kept the nation’s
roads in a deplorable state, and paid workers poorly with the excuse that the country was broke.
“Suddenly, we see the NPP Government repairing roads on the eve of the elections and found money to distribute to voters whom they have kept hungry and deprived for years,” he said
The Council described the eleventh-hour projects as an insult to the intelligence of Ghanaians and a flagrant abuse of the democratic process.
“We are sure Ghanaians will teach them a lesson on December 7th. None of us in politics should take Ghanaians for granted,” the Chairman stated.
He said the National Elections Task Force, under the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, had laid out plans to ensure a peaceful election.
He said the NDC would abide by it because they were promoters of peace.
“We demand the Government to desist from using vigilante groups and NPP party foot soldiers in the guise of National security to foment trouble on the blind side of the election security task force,” Alhaji Iddrisu said.
“We urge the electorate to consider itself guardian or protector of the ballot they cast. We should remain alert, be on the lookout for troublemakers, and, wherever possible, put them on record,” he cautioned.
Alhaji Iddrisu urged the media to stay alert and assist the election security task force in implementing its plans for peaceful elections.
He urged the EC to get its act together if they were to ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
“It isn’t easy for the public to accept its assurance for robust and transparent elections when, day in and day out, you hear and read of stories suggesting poor management on its part, the latest being the last-minute decision to reprint ballot papers for Special voting in the Western and Eastern regions of Ghana,” he said.
“The mantra of the EC is that elections are won at the polling stations. While that is true, the EC must ensure the accuracy of the figures it totals and avoid what happened in the 2020 elections when percentages kept changing,” the Council advised.
The NDC Council of Elders’ Chairman said the Council applauds the diligent work done by the Party Leadership in safeguarding the interest of the Party and Ghanaian voters.
He alleged that dealing with an EC, packed with known NPP stalwarts was daunting; saying “we urge our team to continue to exercise vigilance as we approach the D-day.
“We reassure party membership that all information received from them across the country is being taken seriously because we are taking no chances.
He reminded all polling agents representing the Party at the polling stations on December 7 to demonstrate loyalty and commitment.
“We appreciate the time they have spent on training and preparation. They should feel proud of being part of the historic movement to oust this government that has inflicted much pain and hardship on Ghanaians.”
He said their assignment as polling agents was a call to national duty to secure the future of the Ghanaian youth and usher in a new government that cares and has the interest of all its citizens at heart.
Alhaji Iddrisu said the NDC Party’s 2024 campaign had been one like never before; adding that the enthusiasm, personal initiatives, volunteerism, and sacrifice spirit have been overwhelming.
He said the Council salutes the rank and file for championing the party’s cause and propagating the policies outlined in their unbeatable Manifesto.
The Chairman endorsed Mr. Mahama as a reassuring personality with a passion for what works in the broader national interest, declaring, “With John, success means lifting every Ghanaian.”
GNA