General News of Thursday, 25 December 2008

Source: GNA

Avert Constitutional crisis, vote for Prof. Mills - declares NDC

Accra, Dec. 25, GNA - The National Democratic Congress (NDC) on Thursday called on the electorate to avert a constitutional crisis by voting massively for Professor John Evans Atta Mills in the December 28 Presidential Election Run-off.

"The NDC has taken firm control of parliament - the legislative arm of government capturing 114 seats; controls seven regions - Western, Central, Greater Accra, Volta, Upper East, Upper West, and Northern a vote for Prof. Mills would, therefore, consolidate the electoral gains paving the way for accelerated growth.

"A vote for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) would be a recipe for Constitutional crisis," Mr Danny Annang, stated in Accra.

He explained that the NDC stands on the threshold of controlling the next Parliament and by the Constitutional arrangement the Majority Leader runs government business in the House.

Mr Annang said as the majority party in Parliament, the NDC would also nominate the next Speaker, who is the third powerful person after the President, and the Vice-President.

"It would be a near disaster for the leader of Government Business, and Speaker of Parliament to stand at an ideologically opposed positions to rule the country.Ghana cannot take this dangerous road, we must avoid it by voting massively for Prof. Mills," the NDC Regional Chairman stated. He also stressed the need for political parties to advise their supporters to refrain from activities that could mar the December 28 Presidential Election Runoff. He said: "What is important is for Ghanaians to think about the welfare of one another rather than issues that would create anarchy in the society and litigation among people."

Mr Annang said the young democracy the country was nurturing has gained world recognition and there was the need for all to sustain it and to work further to enhance the socio-political development of the country.

"All Ghanaians cannot belong to one political party and, no matter the circumstances; one will have to make a choice. When this happens, it will be wrong for another person to blame him or her for doing that." He, however, warned that the Party would resist all attempts by the NPP to collaborate with electoral officers to steal the December 28 election.

"The NDC is warning that any attempt to foul the election would be resisted by the people of Ghana, whose voice for change was clearly heard on December 7."

He called on the Chairman of the National Security Council, the Electoral Commission and the Inspector General of Police, to take appropriate measures to forestall actions that might hinder the smooth running of the polls.

Mr Annang described Prof. Atta Mills as the President every Ghanaian could trust to govern with humane policies, ensure the protection of all and share the national cake across board, irrespective of ethnic or party affiliations.