General News of Friday, 10 December 2004

Source: GNA

Mills urges NDC leadership to document electoral anomalies

Accra, Dec. 10, GNA- Professor John Evans Atta Mills, Presidential Candidate of the NDC in the 2004 elections, on Friday urged the leadership of the NDC to document all reported anomalies that characterized this year's general elections for future reference.

He noted that though the rank and file of the party worked hard enough to ensure victory for the party, the party was robbed of its victory due to the several reported cases of anomalies and problems that characterized the process.

Speaking to a cross section of party leaders and members at the party's headquarters, he said it was important that the party documented all the reported problems and issue a statement, in the name of the party as soon as possible.

He was particularly worried about a report that Mr Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, the unseated NDC MP for Fanteakwa, could not visit the constituency to monitor vote counting due to threats by a mob believed to be members of another political party to take his life.

Prof. Mills urged party members to take heart and not lose courage over the loss of the party, saying, "our scores in the election show that the NDC is still a strong party and still a force to reckon with."

He noted that as at 2001, most people, including some NDC members thought the party was finished but the elections had proved that the party was alive and kicking.

In his peacemaking style, Prof. Mills urged party members not to act lawlessly on the account of the various reported problems, which might have affected the party's lot adversely.

Prof. Mills congratulated the rank and file of the party for their unfailing commitment to the party during the campaign and urged them to be strong till the next elections in 2008.

Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, running mate of the Prof. Mills, also thanked the party members for their unfailing support for the party. He said the elections had shown that the NDC was still strong and that it had its strength to rest on for the next four years.

"Do not lose hope, keep the hope alive and let's be a strong opposition till we win power again in the next elections." He also thanked the people for praying for him during his accident and urged them to keep praying for him, Prof. Mills and the party. Prof. Mills also moved around the capital and address party members gathered at various locations including the party's National Campaign Centre, Kanda and other places.