African Elections Project (Accra)
30 December 2008
Accra — About 200 journalists have gathered at the conference room of the Electoral Commission (EC) to cover the announcement of the presidential run-off results by the chairman of the EC, Dr. Kwadwo Afari Gyan.
Meanwhile, shops in the central business district are closing for fears of any violence that may occur after the release of the election results.
Dr. Afari Gyan is set to release the results of the December 28 presidential run-off this afternoon.
Scores of NDC supporters have thronged the premises of the EC since last night demanding the release of the results. Loudspeakers have been mounted near the EC head office to celebrate the election results when declared.
Security presence at the EC is also very high.
Meanwhile, the leadership of the NDC and NPP are in a closed-door meeting with the Electoral Commission. It is believed they are meeting to iron out their difference before the results are released.
Be Calm - President Kufour
As tensions rose ahead of the announcement of the presidential election result, outgoing President John Kufuor released the following statement:
It has come to the attention of government that whilst the Independent Electoral Commission is engaged on its constitutional function of managing the run-off of the Presidential Election, some members of the public, particularly of the two contesting parties, are displaying extreme impatience and thereby causing unnecessary tension throughout the country.
Some sections of the media are also not helping by peddling unauthorized figures, which could prove wrong as some have.
Whilst government appreciates the great passion with which the entire nation is awaiting the outcome of the event, I wish to appeal to all Ghanaians, especially the supporters of the NPP and the NDC, to remain calm and wait patiently for the declaration of the result by the Electoral Commission, which alone has the constitutional mandate to undertake that function.
Your total cooperation in this respect will ensure that the peace and security of the nation are not undermined.
May God bless us all.
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