Spokesperson for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal team in the ongoing presidential election petition, Nana Ato Dadzie, has congratulated the petitioners in the 2012 presidential election petition hearing at the Supreme Court for going to court.

“The petitioners deserve applause for taking such a bold decision to contest the outcome of the 2012 presidential elections in court rather than hitting the streets and causing mayhem,” he said.

The former Chief of Staff under ex-President Jerry John Rawlings was speaking Wednesday on Adom FM/Asempa FM’s “Burning Issues” program.

“There are no two ways about that, I think that they must be congratulated - the petitioners for taking such step,” Nana Ato Dadzie stated.

He noted that it is within everyone’s constitutional right to contest the outcome of any elections in court but the final outcome will be determined by the Supreme Court, and each party in the case must respect that.

He said lawyers for both petitioners and respondents are committed to peace but the political characters must show greater commitment towards peace.

“I will never understand why anybody would want to challenge the Supreme Court final ruling.”

“I will condemn any violent action whether it is from NDC or NPP so the various religious leaders must also make a commitment to peace,” the former chief of staff emphasized.

Nana Ato Dadzie noted that the media also has a bigger role to play to ensure stability in a democratic country like Ghana.

Meanwhile, a member of the legal team of the New Patriotic Party, lawyer Yaw Buaben Asamoah agreed with Nana Ato Dadzie that all the parties involved in the case should ensure law and order after the declaration of the ruling by the Supreme Court.

He stated that though both parties deserve applause but the New Patriotic Party candidate for the 2012 general elections, Nana Dankwa Akufo-Addo deserves a lot of applause for showing maturity and good leadership after Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan declaration.

Meanwhile, the President of the nine-member panel, Justice William Atuguba has ordered the parties involved in the case to submit their written addresses by 30 July 2013.