The leadership of all political parties have been urged to exhibit a high sense of statesmanship to accept the outcome of the December 7, 2012 polls as declared by the Electoral Commission (EC).

The call comes on the back of the historic signing of a peace accord in Kumasi by all the eight presidential candidates promising to usher in the December Presidential and Legislative Elections in peace with the security also giving assurance of their willingness to be vigilant, impartial, and on top of their brief before, during, and after the elections.

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference in a pastoral letter on the forthcoming general election advised political leaders and their supporters "to be magnanimous in victory and gracious in defeat".

"Losing candidates and parties in a free and fair election should not find it difficult to concede or accept defeat. Good losers are peacemakers. Good losers also command respect," the letter said, and reminded the leadership of political parties that it was only when power stood under God's blessing that it could be trusted.

The letter was to share some Christian insights into credible electoral process for a responsible and accountable leadership, in line with the obligation of the church to teach moral values that should shape lives.

Political parties, all citizens, as well as media houses were also advised to desist from declaring rival results of the elections at any given moment and mentioned that, the EC is the only constitutional body mandated to declare official results of elections. Let us all respect that. In addition, we call on political parties to restrain their membership from reacting violently to election results and instead use due process of the law to address grievances.