The Executive Director of the Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey is urging the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and aggrieved parties in the 2020 elections to go to court to make their case.
He said resorting to the courts to address election challenges was amongst the key commitments the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) made in the election 2020 peace pact they signed on December 4.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Monday December 14, 2020, Dr. Akwetey said by going to court, fair and proper adjudication will be given on the outcome of the December polls.
“We say the parties should go to court and fortunately, their leaders committed to go to court on December 4 when they signed the peace pact. If the court proceedings we saw in 2012 is anything to go by, I think we will get to know the truth about the election results and it will inform us [the electorates]. Also, sometimes, it is only the court that has the power to bring about the reforms we might want to see in the EC,” he said.
“So, going to court doesn’t mean the political parties alone, the EC itself which is the umpire of the elections will have to answer a number of questions and all those with issues will have a way to speak out so that the issue can be resolved,” he added.
Reacting to the recent protests staged by some members of the opposition NDC to register their displeasure over what they describe as flawed elections, Dr. Akwetey said such developments could spark political violence as members of the governing party may also stage counter-demonstrations.
He said violence is not the way to go in seeking redress.
“I am of the view that if members of parties are called out to demonstrate, the incidence or the likelihood of counter-demonstration will be high in some regions and strongholds and that violence will be a huge distraction and it will dent the peaceful way of resolving this issue.”
NDC protests against EC
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) across the country held different events to express their displeasure over the conduct and outcome of tte 2020 polls.
Protests were in areas such as Sefwi Wiawson in the Western North region, Ashaiman in Accra, Okaikwei North in Accra among others.
They highlighted issues of alleged fraudulent activities undertaken during the elections.
