The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has declared themselves victors in the presidential race ahead of the Electoral Commission. At the party’s headquarters in Accra, in the late hours of Tuesday, December 8, 2020, the party displayed a backdrop with the inscription “2020 President Elections ‘Presidential Elect’ Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.”
The party at its national headquarters mounted a stage with party members celebrating the supposed win of the party.
Party faithfuls’ are in earnest wait for the official declaration of the presidential results by the Electoral Commission. However, as they wait, they say they already know the outcome of the presidential elections which is in favor of their candidate, incumbent President Akufo Addo.
President Nana Addo was expected to address the media and the party’s members but as at dawn, have not spoken.
Earlier in the night of Tuesday, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah on behalf of the government registered the government’s worry with some expressions the flagbearer of the main opposition NDC made in the party’s media briefing.
The Information Minister said “the claim by candidate Mahama that his party has won parliamentary majority is false.”
He said for a presidential candidate to make claims such as this is worrying as it has the tendency of undermining the work of the Electoral Commission and also spread false information.
“You the media are observing the 275 collation centers across the country, and I am sure you yourselves can confirm that as of now, they do not have a parliamentary majority. So it is important that at this point in time, that this claim be shot down.”
Mr. Nkrumah further went on to address what he termed as “dog whistle” to supporters by candidate Mahama to jubilate even when the results of the presidential elections are unknown. He said this is an attempt by candidate Mahama to get people on the streets and jubilate.
He, on behalf of the government condemned the act by saying “it has the potential to raise tensions, to heighten anxiety and most importantly, will leave your supporters severely disappointed if and when an eventual loss is occasioned for you.
“But we think it’s must be categorically said that it’s utterly irresponsible, and it flies in the face of good conduct and even the peace pact that the candidate signed a few days ahead of the elections”
Mr. Nkrumah noted that, the claim by the NDC to have won 10 out of the 16 regions hence must win the presidential election is bogus. He indicated that, per Article 63(3) of the 1992 constitution, the only determiner of winning the presidential seat is to win more that 50% of valid votes cast, hence, the 10 regions the NDC claim to have won has no play on the outcome of the presidential race.
He concluded by admonishing all political parties and the general public to have confidence in the capacity of the Electoral Commission to do what it has been tasked to do and has been doing since 1992.
