By Celestine Avi
The Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), led by Chairman Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, has called on the government and the Electoral Commission (EC) to ensure that the December 7 elections are free from intimidation and abuse. This appeal follows the recent signing of a peace pact by presidential candidates ahead of the 2024 polls.
The NDC Council of Elders emphasised that the pact must transcend rhetoric and translate into a genuine commitment to peace, fairness, and transparency in the electoral process. They also urged Ghanaians to vote massively for John Mahama and NDC parliamentary candidates, describing the upcoming election as a decisive battle for democracy.
“The recent signing of a peace accord was a step in the right direction. However, it remains to be seen whether the government is genuinely committed to it.”
The Council said the 2024 elections offer an opportunity to rescue Ghana from what they described as years of impunity, corruption, nepotism, and arrogance under the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia administration. They called on voters to choose leaders who demonstrate honesty, integrity, and a commitment to national progress.
The Council cited past incidents of electoral violence, including the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election and the killing of seven citizens during the 2020 elections, which they attributed to the ruling NPP.
“We keep hearing of plans to cause mayhem and carry out atrocities similar to what happened in Ayawaso and Techiman in 2019 and 2020. The NPP does not play by the rules.”
In light of these concerns, the Council urged President Akufo-Addo and his government to ensure the 2024 elections are conducted in a clean, fair, and peaceful manner.
The National Elections Task Force, led by the Ghana Police Service, has outlined plans to ensure a peaceful election, which the NDC has pledged to support. However, the Council warned against the use of vigilante groups or party foot soldiers disguised as National Security personnel to foment trouble.
“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.”
The Council also urged the Electoral Commission to guarantee transparency and fairness, noting the EC’s critical role in safeguarding Ghana’s democracy.
“The EC must ensure free, fair, and credible elections. It is hard for the public to trust its assurances when stories of mismanagement persist, such as the recent decision to reprint ballot papers for Special Voting in the Western and Eastern regions. Elections may be won at the polling stations, but the EC must ensure accurate tabulation and avoid issues like the changing percentages witnessed in 2020.”
The media was advised to exercise caution in its reportage and to promptly highlight any election irregularities.
Reaffirming their confidence in John Mahama’s leadership, the Council encouraged Ghanaians to vote for the NDC presidential and parliamentary candidates.
“John Mahama is a reassuring personality with a passion for solutions that serve the broader national interest. With him, success means lifting every Ghanaian. We urge all Ghanaians to come out early on December 7 and vote for John Dramani Mahama and NDC parliamentary candidates.”
The Council commended party members for championing the ‘Resetting Ghana’ manifesto and urged them to remain vigilant and committed throughout the election period.
Statement by the Council of Elders of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) read by its Chairman, Alhaji Mahama Iddrisu, on the December 7, 2024, election.
3rd December 2024
Ladies and gentlemen of the media,
On behalf of the Council of Elders of the NDC, I thank you for responding to our invitation at such short notice.
Earlier today we met to discuss pertinent issues relating to the December 7 elections which is 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.
The antecedents of the NPP government where elections are concerned are nothing to write home about. The recent signing of a peace accord was a step in the right direction. However, it remains to be seen whether the government is 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 NPP does not play by the rules.
The current dismal state of affairs in Ghana and the clarion call for change throughout the country have heightened interest in the election and its likely outcome.
The government is desperate; it knows its days are numbered, but it is doing everything to cling to power. While the demand for change is nationwide, there are 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.
For almost eight years, the NPP government has fleeced and impoverished Ghanaians, stolen from the pensions of the aged, destroyed businesses, kept our roads in a deplorable state, and paid workers poorly with the excuse that the country is 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.
These are all 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 National Elections Task Force, under the leadership of the Ghana Police Service, has laid out plans to ensure a peaceful election. The NDC will abide by it because we are 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.
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.
We also urge the media to stay alert and assist the election security task force in implementing its plans for peaceful elections.
We urge the Electoral Commission to get its act together if they are 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.
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 applauds the diligent work done by the party leadership in safeguarding the interest of the party and Ghanaian voters. Dealing with an Electoral Commission packed with known NPP stalwarts is daunting. 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.
We remind 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. Their assignment as polling agents is 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.
The NDC party’s 2024 campaign has been one like never before. The enthusiasm, personal initiatives, volunteerism, and sacrifice spirit have been overwhelming. The Council salutes the rank and file for championing the party’s cause and propagating the policies outlined in our unbeatable Manifesto. What remains now is a total mobilization to ensure a high voter turnout. Let us not be complacent and think it is a done deal.
Let us use the remaining days before voting day to intensify voter education, especially regarding how to thumbprint in the space provided on the ballot paper. We must stick to the strategies outlined by the Election Directorate to protect the vote and ensure speedy collation of results.
We urge our members and supporters to remember that the price of success is eternal vigilance. We must all be foot soldiers on December 7. We must all be out on the field, supporting and encouraging one another. Those who plan mischief should encounter our presence and resolve.
Let us win the election for Ghana together.
The 2024 election is indeed a battle for democracy and the rescue of our public institutions from the brink.
This is a peculiar moment in our history.
This is a call to save our Republic.
Enough of the 8 years of impunity, corruption, greed, arrogance and nepotism.
No force can stand against the people’s might when they decide enough is enough.
We urge Ghanaians to vote for a President who will restore honesty and service in our body politic.
John Mahama is a reassuring personality with a passion for what works in the broader national interest.
With John, success means lifting every Ghanaian.
We salute our party’s Members, supporters, men, women, and youth. The energy and passion exhibited in the campaign have been very inspiring.
Let us finish hard.
We call on Ghanaians to get out early on December 7 to vote. Vote for President John Dramani Mahama and your NDC Parliamentary candidate.
Let us usher in a new Ghana.
It is time to reset Ghana.
Thank you.
